The ChatGPT effect: In 3 years the AI chatbot has changed the way people look things up

The Rise of ChatGPT: A New Era in Information Retrieval

Three years ago, when someone needed to fix a leaky faucet or understand inflation, their go-to approach was typing the question into Google, searching YouTube for a how-to video, or shouting desperately at Alexa for help. Fast-forward to today, and millions of people are opening ChatGPT and simply asking.

This shift in behavior is significant, as it signals a fundamental change in how we approach information retrieval. Professor Deborah Lee, director of research impact and AI strategy at Mississippi State University Libraries, believes that this change is a direct result of the impact of ChatGPT on everyday technology use.

The rise of ChatGPT has marked a paradigm shift in searching, with traditional search engines no longer being the primary tool for finding information. Surveys show that 34% of U.S. adults have used ChatGPT, roughly double the share found in 2023. Among adults under 30, a clear majority (58%) have tried it.

While traditional search engines remain the backbone of the online information ecosystem, people are changing which tool they reach for first. The kind of searching that people do has shifted in measurable ways since ChatGPT entered the scene. People are moving away from quick, clarifying, everyday "what does this mean" questions and instead opting for more direct explanations.

Google's dominance in search is still evident, but its role is evolving. Google has started weaving its AI system Gemini directly into the top of the page, providing a more conversational experience. However, many people never scroll past the AI-generated snapshot, which has led to an increase in "zero-click" searches.

The impact of ChatGPT can be seen beyond search engines, with voice assistants and YouTube also experiencing a shift. Voice assistants are reporting lower ownership numbers, while YouTube remains a giant, but its usage is changing as people tend to start with ChatGPT and then move to YouTube for additional information.

In specialized spaces, such as software engineering, the trend is similar, with question volume dropping sharply after ChatGPT's release. When a chatbot can generate code snippets and explanations on demand, fewer people bother typing questions into public forums.

The real impact of ChatGPT lies in its reordered tech stack. The default search has shifted, with Google still being for deep dives and complex comparisons, while YouTube is for seeing real people do real things. Smart speakers are still for hands-free convenience.

As the conversation continues to evolve, it's clear that ChatGPT didn't just add another app to our phones – it quietly changed how we look things up in the first place. The rise of this chatbot has marked a new era in information retrieval, one that prioritizes explanation over ranking and conversational response over source transparency.

The implications of this shift are significant, and as Professor Lee notes, "the impact of ChatGPT is at the heart of how technology use has changed." As we move forward, it's essential to understand this shift and its consequences on our daily lives.

I'm loving the way people are gravitating towards ChatGPT for everyday questions It's crazy to think that just 3 years ago, we were stuck with Google and YouTube The fact that it's changing how we search for info is a big deal - I mean, traditional search engines aren't even the go-to tool anymore

But what really gets me is how people are moving away from quick "what does this mean?" questions and instead opting for more in-depth explanations . It's like we're expecting a conversational response that just gives us the info, no fuss!

And can you believe how much YouTube is shifting? I used to watch all these tutorial videos before trying something new, but now it seems like people are just going straight to ChatGPT and then maybe checking YouTube for more in-depth stuff .

It's like our tech stack has been reordered - Google's still good for deep dives, YouTube's for watching humans do things, and smart speakers are for convenience . The chatbot era is definitely here to stay

I'm loving this new vibe! ChatGPT is like having a personal info butler – just ask it anything and voilà, you've got an answer. I mean, 34% of US adults have tried it? That's wild! I'm also noticing how Google's role is changing. It's not just about throwing up results anymore; it's about having a conversational experience. And those "zero-click" searches? Mind blown! It's like we're moving away from basic Q&A and into explanations mode.

This shift in info retrieval makes total sense, though. I've been using ChatGPT for stuff like writing prompts or learning a new skill. It's so much easier than scrolling through YouTube or asking Alexa (although, that's still convenient). And the impact on voice assistants? Definitely noticed – my smart speaker hasn't gotten as much use since ChatGPT came out.

What I love about this is how it's reordered our tech stack. Like, Google's still for deep dives, but now we've got YouTube for real-life examples and demonstrations. Smart speakers are more for hands-free convenience. It's all about efficiency and getting the info you need quickly!

I'm literally wondering what happened to all those YouTube videos I used to watch for tutorials... now everyone just asks ChatGPT Is that a good thing? Like, I get how convenient it is, but don't we need to know where the info comes from? And Google's trying to adapt by making its results more conversational too, which is cool I guess. But what about all those public forums and online communities where people used to ask questions? Are they going to disappear now that ChatGPT can just give us answers?

I think its kinda wild how we've gone from needing to Google stuff or watch YouTube tutorials to just having a chat with ChatGPT like its our BFF . Its also making us more efficient, but at the same time, I'm worried about what it means for those of us who arent tech savvy or dont know how to use these tools properly . But hey, if its saving people time and answering their questions effectively, then thats a good thing .

omg have u tried chatty yet ? i think its so cool that we can just ask it anything and get a straightforward answer no more searching for hours ! its like having ur own personal wiki but not as boring . google is still king tho but im loving the shift towards conversational search it makes sense now why ppl are moving away from vids and tutorials . chatgpt has definitely changed the game and i'm all for it !

I think it's wild that 34% of US adults have already used ChatGPT like it's nothing new ... like what was the old way again? But seriously, this shift is a game-changer for how we consume info online. It's all about finding answers fast & getting explanations ASAP

The rise of these AI-powered tools has made traditional search engines seem so outdated I mean, who needs Google anymore when you've got ChatGPT to just ask your questions & get a straightforward response? But at the same time, I'm kinda impressed by how well Google is adapting to this new era with Gemini and all that jazz

I think it's also interesting how ChatGPT has changed how people interact with YouTube and voice assistants Like, if you're gonna watch a video or ask Alexa for something, now you might just start with ChatGPT first & then check out YouTube or do whatever

It's all about finding info faster now ... but what does that mean for us? Do we need to be able to think critically anymore? Or are these tools gonna make our lives so much easier?

I'm not buying all this chatbot hype I mean, have you seen the terms of service for ChatGPT? It's like they're sucking all your personal data in just to give you info And don't even get me started on the whole 'conversational experience' thing What's next? AI-powered therapists? And people are already moving away from traditional search engines? That sounds like a recipe for disaster Mark my words, this ChatGPT craze will burn itself out and we'll be back to good old Google in no time

I'm so over these chatbots already. Three years ago I was just trying to find out how to fix my leaky faucet, now I just ask ChatGPT everything. Like what's the point of having Google if it's just gonna be replaced by a chatbot? I swear, I've seen people using ChatGPT for stuff that takes 5 seconds to look up on YouTube. It's like they think the answer is in the chat. And don't even get me started on "zero-click" searches... who needs answers when you can just scroll past the chatbot's summary? I'm all for innovation, but come on, let's not forget about the good old days of actual search engines!

I'm not really sure what's going on with these chatbots . Like, I have a leaky faucet at home and I don't just ask ChatGPT how to fix it... I need actual help from someone or look up YouTube tutorials . But I guess that's changing?

I mean, 34% of adults in the US are using these chatbots already? That's crazy! I'm still stuck on like, basic Google searches . Do they have to learn how to use ChatGPT first or something?

It's interesting that people are moving away from quick questions and more direct explanations... sounds like they're trying to be smarter or something . But what about all the info we don't know how to understand? Like, I looked up how climate change affects ecosystems last week and it was super confusing . Maybe these chatbots can help with that too?

I love how Google is changing its search game now... but at the same time, it feels like they're losing their edge . What's next? Are we gonna have to ask Alexa for info too?

I'm low-key impressed by how quickly people have taken to using ChatGPT . It's definitely a game-changer in terms of how we approach info retrieval, but I gotta say, I'm a bit worried about the implications of relying too heavily on AI-generated responses . We need to make sure that these new tools aren't just replacing one problem with another - like, what happens when the chatbot can't provide accurate info or gets outdated? Still, it's cool to see people exploring new ways to get answers and explanations . Google is definitely evolving its game with Gemini, but I think YouTube will still be a major player in the content creation space . The shift towards zero-click searches is also pretty wild . Can't wait to see how this all plays out in the next few years!

I've got a few thoughts on this whole ChatGPT thing... it's wild how much our daily lives have shifted since it came out! I mean, remember when you had to Google something or ask Alexa for help? Now it's like having your own personal genie in a digital bottle . But at the same time, it's making me think about how we're losing that whole "researching" vibe where you'd have to dig deeper to find reliable sources .

I'm curious to see how this affects our younger generation - I mean, 58% of adults under 30 have used ChatGPT? That's crazy! It's like they're growing up with the expectation that answers will just be handed to them on a silver platter . And what about those who don't have access to this kind of tech? Are they being left behind?

I'm also wondering if we're going too far in relying on AI for everything. I mean, there's value in taking the time to research and think critically about what you're reading or watching . We need to make sure we're not losing that skillset in the process .

[Image of a person asking Siri for help, with a sad face]

ChatGPT: because who needs Google anymore?

[ GIF of a smartphone screen showing ChatGPT's response, with a big thumbs up ]

We're getting the answers we need, but where's the source?

[ Image of a person looking confused, with a thought bubble above their head ]

New era in info retrieval: more explanation, less ranking

omg I remember when my niece started using Alexa for everything she'd ask her what time dinner was and Alexa would just say "dinner is at 6" and that was like the answer lol now people are doing the same thing with ChatGPT, its crazy how tech has changed so fast I mean we're not even thinking about Google anymore when all we need to know is "what does this do?" I've been using it with my kids and they just type away and get answers in like 2 seconds what's next? Will we be ordering food on our laptops too?

I'm loving this new era of info retrieval! ChatGPT is making search so much more intuitive for me. I mean, who needs to scroll through endless results when you can just ask the chatbot a simple question? It's crazy how much people are moving away from traditional search engines and towards these more conversational experiences. Google's been trying to adapt with Gemini, but I think ChatGPT is already the go-to for many of us . And it's not just search - I've noticed that YouTube's become a second-chance for getting info after using ChatGPT first. It's like having a mini-expert in your pocket!

I think it's kinda cool that people are starting to use ChatGPT for everyday stuff like fixing leaky faucets . It's a big change from just searching Google or YouTube, you know? It's all about getting an explanation instead of just ranking results . But at the same time, I'm not sure if we're losing out on some important info by not looking up sources or checking facts . I mean, ChatGPT is great for quick answers, but what happens when you need more depth or context?

omg you guys i'm literally shocked that everyone's jumping onto chatgpt like its some kinda superpower my grandma just asked me how to fix her oven and instead of telling her to Google it she just typed it into chatgpt lol the results are like having a personal tutor right in front of you but at the same time i'm a little concerned about what's gonna happen when we rely on these AI bots for everything

I gotta say, this chatbot thingy is changing everything! Like, I'm not gonna lie, I was a bit skeptical when I first heard about ChatGPT, but now that I've used it, I get it . It's all about getting the info you need fast and easy, no more Googling around like a madman . And yeah, I guess Google's still the king of search engines, but Gemini is giving 'em some serious competition . It's cool to see how people are moving away from those daily "what does this mean" questions and just going straight for the explanation . But at the same time, it's making me think about how I use YouTube and voice assistants - like, am I gonna start using ChatGPT first and then go to YouTube? The more I think about it, the more I'm excited about this new era in info retrieval !

OMG I mean like, imagine not having to ask Siri or Alexa for answers anymore . The fact that ChatGPT is making traditional search engines a bit less popular is kinda wild . I think it's super cool how people are starting to use it as more than just a quick answer finder . Like, if you need an explanation or something in-depth, you're gonna go straight to YouTube now . And I guess Google is already adapting by making Gemini part of its search results . It's like the whole online info landscape is shifting and it's pretty mind-blowing . But what's wild is how this change is affecting all these other tech tools too... voice assistants, forums... whoa . Anyway, I think we should just roll with it and see where this new info retrieval era takes us

ChatGPT is literally changing everything I mean, who needs Google anymore? It's like having a personal assistant in your pocket that can answer any question you throw at it . And it's not just search engines, it's YouTube and voice assistants too . I've even seen people using ChatGPT to learn new things, like coding . It's so convenient! But what really gets me is how it's changing the way we consume information . No more sifting through page after page of search results, just get the answer straight away . And I love how Google is adapting by integrating its own AI system Gemini into the search engine . It's like they're trying to keep up with ChatGPT . Overall, it's a game-changer and I'm excited to see where this technology takes us next