The conversations stemmed from a now-defunct feature that let ChatGPT users make their conversations discoverable on search engines. Some of the conversations uncovered by the researcher involved an upload of a supposed non-disclosure agreement for visitors to OpenAI’s headquarters, and the owner of a named business asking ChatGPT for help writing a contract, as reported by 404 Media.
As chatbots take a bigger bite out of search and the internet heads toward Google Zero, John Herrman writes, “The era of SEO is over. Say hello to GEO [Generative-engine optimization].”
The experts he spoke to indicated that publishers should focus on quality content to rank highly in AI search, but he also spoke to an ex-Googler who said he’s found evidence that the paid version of ChatGPT is using Google Search -- and he’s not the first one to say that.
[nymag.com]
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman teased GPT-5 yesterday in a post on X, and now OpenAI’s head of applied research says he’s “excited to see how the public receives GPT-5.” I reported in my Notepad newsletter that OpenAI was preparing to launch GPT-5 in early August. Microsoft has already quietly launched a mysterious new Copilot smart mode, which is likely in preparation for a GPT-5 release. OpenAI loves to launch new things on a Thursday.