ChatGPT is becoming "a shopping AI agent". What is the future of Google, then?
Yesterday, I came across an article on TechCrunch that OpenAI is upgrading ChatGPT search with shopping features.
Slowly but surely, ChatGPT is taking over Google's role and doing it well. I’ve noticed it myself, especially how it’s replaced much of my browsing.
With Google having most of its revenue from paid search ads, we may soon see advertisers paying for recommendations on ChatGPT.
Does Google have a chance to survive? Or do you have your prognosis on what is more likely to happen?
[This could also change our approach to SEO and similar strategies, especially in marketing.]
In this case, I see several scenarios that could happen:
– OpenAI will have an agreement with Google that it can draw data from Google for some consideration.
– Open AI will create its own browser.
– Google will impose restrictions on OpenAI.
Replies
App Finder
minimalist phone: creating folders
@konrad_sx I am pretty curious how it changes this game. But for me, ChatGPT overruled Google atm.
App Finder
@busmark_w_nika atm, yes. But Google sure has the people and the money to challenge OpenAI (remember Google engineers developed the transformer architecture)
@konrad_sx but they still have a customer that is not the search user. Shifting things to focus more on UX for search users vs advertisers is going to be difficult. At the very least they will lose revenue.
App Finder
@burninator important point, completely agree
Google is integrating AI to search too. Nowadays the top result is AI summary.
Personally I find ChatGPT or Grok too slow for quick lookups. Another usecase is dictionary.
minimalist phone: creating folders
@admiralrohan So do you still use Google over Chatgpt?
Taking into account generations, I can see how less PC-skilled people are still introduced to Google while my 15 cousin normally uses Chatgpt.
@busmark_w_nika For search use Google, but for coding shifted to LLMs. No longer use stack overflow until LLM hallucinates and I force to debug myself.
minimalist phone: creating folders
@d_ferencha I have heard that Stackoverflow was kinda toxic environment (I am just curious why) :D
minimalist phone: creating folders
@d_ferencha I think that this was mentioned by someone who asked questions there. I am not a user of Stackoverflow, just reporting what I have heard :D
@busmark_w_nika My guess is that the skilled and conceited contributor was irritated by the stupid question. 😀
@d_ferencha @busmark_w_nika Most basic questions are already answered there. So almost impossible for new users to contribute something.
I had one unique solution to one problem and got some views and golden badge for that https://stackoverflow.com/users/4947915/rohan-gayen
Honestly, I think Google will survive, but it won’t stay on top the same way it is today. bcz chatGPT/AI agents are definitely changing how we start searching & if OpenAI nails shopping and recommendations, that’s going to hit Google’s core revenue model hard.
But here's the thing, Google is not just a search engine anymore. It owns YouTube, Android, Gmail, and Maps; they control the internet’s real estate. Even if search gets disrupted, Google will still have powerful levers to pull. They’ll probably release their own AI agent (even smarter than Bard), push AI into Chrome, Android, and YouTube, and try to keep users inside their walls.
OpenAI and Google are about to become direct rivals for "discovery power." (In my opinion)
minimalist phone: creating folders
@hamza_afzal_butt Bold point of view (and I like this kind of thinking). Let's see how other giants respond. AFAIK, Openai is also considering its own social media for data gathering. If they win users' sympathy, there will be huge competition between social media giants, Google, OpenAI (and other incoming companies maybe?)
@busmark_w_nika Yeah, we might be witnessing the start of a much bigger platform war. ⚠️
minimalist phone: creating folders
@hamza_afzal_butt yep, we discussed it here: https://www.producthunt.com/p/openai-api/does-it-make-sense-to-create-ai-based-social-network-and-would-you-use-it :D
we can say:
It’s not "Google dies."
It’s "Google changes — or someone else eats their lunch."
@hamza_afzal_butt on point :)
minimalist phone: creating folders
@hamza_afzal_butt They are falling asleep tbh :D
@busmark_w_nika might be possible they are preparing something 🤔
minimalist phone: creating folders
@hamza_afzal_butt Hopefully, otherwise their good times are at the end.
It all boils down to distribution and product stickiness, whoever nails both, wins the game. Also I don't think anyone would beat google at their game.
minimalist phone: creating folders
@probz The question is... How many people will be willing to play a Google game over time?
I was actually very sad to see this news. In my opinion, ChatGPT is the pioneer of AI, and the current commercialization direction means that it will develop into search engines. In this way, those beautiful ideas about AI should press the pause button on development at this moment.
But on the other hand, this is a new opportunity for everyone, after all, this is also a new channel.
minimalist phone: creating folders
@isabel_engineer Yep, Google was a pioneer of browsing, and it feels quite unfair, but the market (users) is the boss and they dictate the trend. Now, there is someone who makes it better.
Velocity: Prompt Co-Pilot
minimalist phone: creating folders
@aakashpuri When launch?
Velocity: Prompt Co-Pilot
@busmark_w_nika 17th May, mark the date!
minimalist phone: creating folders
@aakashpuri Do not hesitate to reach out on LI!
Release AGI
minimalist phone: creating folders
@matt__mcdonagh In that case, people will not be needed anymore.
(just kidding)
Product Hunt
I'm finding myself going to ChatGPT more and more for decisions like this. The challenge is that they often don't have a current catalog of options.
We're thinking about this as well since one of the ways people use Product is to find the best products. A question in my mind is how much do we optimize Product and catalog to show up in ChatGPT? E.g., maybe build an MCP server vs. how much do we prototype conversational product research within Product Hunt?
minimalist phone: creating folders
@rajiv_ayyangar A Year ago, I swore that Chatgpt would not replace my Google browsing. And now, here we are. :D
This is a bit of a trade-off.
If the goal is to reach completely new users, building an MCP server might make more sense.
On the other hand, if users are already familiar with the platform, it would be more valuable to improve the search and discovery experience directly within Product Hunt.
At least that’s how it seems to me. These kinds of things are best figured out through testing anyway.
Tyce
Really interesting thread. Feels like we’re watching the unbundling of Google in real time.
Search used to be one-size-fits-all. Now we’re moving toward intent-specific agents—shopping, travel, legal, etc.—and ChatGPT is at the center of that shift.
I don't think google will disappear, but the monopoly on discovery is cracking. The future may belong to whoever builds the most trusted assistant, not the best search index.
minimalist phone: creating folders
@lylia_djaitpaulien Interesting POV. Maybe AI agents or assistants will lead the way over the next few years... unless something unexpected shifts the landscape.
Google has lost user’s trust. All of their results are gamed SEO sites unless you’re shopping or targeting a brand.
If OpenAI does shopping well they will absolutely crush this revenue stream for google.
minimalist phone: creating folders
@burninator Google provides other services as well, e.g. emails, etc., but as you mentioned, the pie will be cut into smaller pieces among more players on the market.
@busmark_w_nika Absolutely. I'm specifically referencing their search related ad market. Google isn't going anywhere.
It's exceptionally hard to win back trust once you've lost it though and Google search has been vulnerable as a result of this for a while. They have played the game of blocking others instead of innovating and that's going to cost. (IF OpenAI does chat well)
What people don't realize is that Google has a profound history working with advertisers, consumers and platforms in the EC and retail space. This means that while ChatGPT and Perplexity (yes, the latter already launched their shopping offer, remember?) are challengers, they are still fighting with the giant that has accumulated decades of aptitudes in all directions.
No despise on the challengers of course. All in all it's worth watching how this unfolds.
minimalist phone: creating folders
@thefullstack The thing is that OpenAI has become one of those giants, too, so there is no lack of money. The one who will be able to better manage money in terms of progress and innovations owns the market.
I think Google still has a good chance to survive. Google has a vast amount of data and a well-established user base. Instead of just relying on paid search ads, it can focus on enhancing its own AI capabilities. For example, Google can develop more advanced search algorithms that provide personalized and in-depth search results. It can also invest more in features like local business search, integrating with e-commerce platforms more seamlessly. Regarding the scenarios you mentioned, Google might be reluctant to give data to OpenAI easily. And while OpenAI creating its own browser is a possibility, it will face tough competition from existing browsers. Google's restrictions on OpenAI could lead to a more competitive landscape, but it also might prompt both companies to innovate more. In short, Google can leverage its strengths and adapt to the changing market by improving its AI and search features.
There's no doubt that chatgpt is growing and adding new features too quickly, that it's becoming a danger for google too, specially in last few months they've focus on growing alot like improve the chatgpt apk , so more number of users can get benifit from that, beside that stuff multiple features like coding improvement, canva and ghibli art, image generator and alot more has been launched by chatgpt premium APK, and they'll be soon. available unlimited just like other features.
minimalist phone: creating folders
@martin_leo On the other hand, Google also adds Gemini search, so we will see what happens.