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ChatGPT Search

ChatGPT Search uses web information in ChatGPT answers when search is applicable.

Sources and answers in AI Search

Accessible sources → Possible discovery and retrieval → Answer creation → Possible source link
Conceptual model, not a provider’s internal architecture. Accessibility does not guarantee use or citation.
Text version
  • Accessible sources
  • Possible discovery and retrieval
  • Answer creation
  • Possible source link

How it works

Distinguish actual sources and displayed citations from model knowledge; follow official crawler rules.

Example

Example: An answer displays a public article link that can be opened and checked.

Common mistakes

Do not promise inclusion in every answer.

How can you check this in practice?

Inspect exact cited URLs in a particular answer and record the date. For crawler access, use OpenAI's current official names and IP ranges. Distinguish Search access from training use; they are not one permission.

Distinctions and limitations

A model-knowledge answer and an answer with web sources are not equivalent evidence. Allowing OAI-SearchBot does not guarantee exposure; blocking GPTBot serves a different purpose. User-Agent alone does not verify a genuine crawler.

Official sources

Editorial responsibility: Martin Zhelyazkov · Founder of Z-Consult

Updated: 05/11/2026

For a correction or question: office@z-consult.bg