Step 1: Query analysis
The fine tuned GPT-4o model analyzes your question to determine if web search is needed.
Step 2: Search query formulation
If search is triggered, the model creates optimized search queries designed to find the most relevant results.
Step 3: Web search execution
Queries are sent to third party search providers and publisher partner indexes.
Step 4: Source evaluation
Results are assessed for relevance, authority, and recency. Publisher partner content is prioritized.
Step 5: Synthesis with citations
The model reads the top sources, synthesizes a conversational answer, and attaches inline citations to every claim.
Force a search when needed
If ChatGPT gives you an answer that seems outdated or does not cite sources, it probably did not search the web. Force a search by clicking the globe icon, typing "/" and selecting Search, or adding "search the web for" to your message. This is especially useful for questions where the model might think its training data is sufficient but where you want the latest information.
Publisher partnerships ensure quality
OpenAI's partnerships with AP, Reuters, Financial Times, and other major publishers mean that ChatGPT Search draws from verified, professional journalism. This gives it an edge in news and current events accuracy compared to search tools that rely solely on generic web crawling.