Users can now access ChatGPT without signing up, OpenAI announced on Thursday, marking a major shift in the accessibility of its popular AI chatbot.
Previously, users were required to log in or create an account to use ChatGPT Search. Now, OpenAI has removed this barrier, stating in a social media post, “ChatGPT search is now available to everyone on chatgpt.com. No sign up required.”
However, it remains unclear if this feature is available globally. Some users, including those at Khaleej Times, have reported that the website still offers login and sign-up options, suggesting that the rollout may be gradual or limited to specific regions.
A Challenge to Traditional Search Engines
This change could put additional pressure on search engines like Google and Bing, as ChatGPT is now more accessible to casual users. By allowing unrestricted access, OpenAI may attract a larger audience looking for AI-powered responses instead of traditional search results.
ChatGPT initially launched as a paid service before expanding to free users. However, until now, even free users were required to create an account. The removal of this requirement makes the AI tool even more competitive in the online information space.
AI Industry Faces Intensifying Competition
The announcement comes amid growing AI competition, particularly from China’s DeepSeek, a new AI model that has caught the attention of Silicon Valley. DeepSeek’s high efficiency and lower cost have reportedly pressured U.S. developers, prompting OpenAI to accelerate its own innovations.
Recently, OpenAI unveiled ‘Deep Research’, a new tool aimed at automating complex research tasks. The company claims this tool can “accomplish in minutes what would take humans hours.”
With the AI industry rapidly evolving, OpenAI’s decision to remove sign-up barriers may help solidify ChatGPT’s position as a leading AI assistant, further challenging both traditional search engines and emerging competitors worldwide.
