The Rise of ChatGPT's Search Functionality in Europe

The search function of ChatGPT, which allows the chatbot to access up-to-date information from the internet, is rapidly gaining traction in Europe. According to a report by OpenAI Ireland Limited, the average number of active users of this feature reached 41.3 million per month over the six months leading up to March 31, 2025. In comparison, the previous six months saw only 11.2 million users. This information is reported by TechCrunch.

OpenAI releases this data in accordance with the EU Digital Services Act (DSA), which regulates the operations of large online platforms in Europe. Under this law, services with over 45 million active monthly users must allow opt-outs from recommendation algorithms, provide access to specific data for researchers and authorities, and undergo external audits. If current growth rates continue, ChatGPT Search may fall under these requirements.

Violations of the DSA can lead to fines of up to 6% of a company's global turnover or even temporary bans on operations within the EU.

Despite its rapid growth, ChatGPT Search still lags behind market leader Google. Estimates suggest that the number of search queries on Google far exceeds those of ChatGPT by a factor of hundreds. Surveys reveal that only 8% of users are willing to use ChatGPT as their primary search engine.

Additionally, ChatGPT Search has its drawbacks, particularly in accuracy. Research indicates that it often makes mistakes when searching for articles or processing news, even when it has access to licensed sources.