Emerging AI-based search systems often leverage large language models to generate explanations, consolidate content from multiple sources, or convincingly summarize a selected web page. The AI search systems discussed below vary in when they provide LLM-assisted results (from only when you request them to every time) and how much control you have over whether AI is used (from no control to a fairly customizable search). . settings).
Reader beware: the main problem with LLMs is that the content may not always be 100% accurate. Go ahead and explore each of the five search systems listed, but be sure to check any AI-generated answers.
Google AI Summaries: Use Them for Some Searches
AI Overviews attempts to distill information from multiple sources into a single relevant answer, so there's no need to sift through pages of links. Or, as Google employees have described it, AI Overviews allows “Google to do the Google search for you.”
Like all the tools on this list, it is new. Google announced AI Overviews, formerly known as Search Generative Experience, at Google I/O 2024.
Initially, an AI overview is more likely to appear for searches that help with brainstorming, planning, or understanding. For example, the screenshot shows the explanation generated in response to a sample query of “What are the chances of seeing a shooting star?” Please note that this answer includes some relevant links after the opening paragraph.
Google is rolling out AI Overviews as a feature of the company's free ad-supported search service available on the web and in mobile apps. It is available only in a subset of searches.
Perplexity: LLM for every search
Perplexity leverages AI for each message, unlike Google's AI overviews. In some cases, especially when a query may be unclear, Perplexity pauses and asks you for clarification; Typically, this allows the system to adjust the response to more accurately answer your question. Answers include easy-to-follow reference links to assist in verifying sources.
A free account includes a limited number of standard and professional searches; Selecting the professional option gives you access to a better AI model, such as GPT-4o instead of GPT-3.5, for example. A paid upgrade to Perplexity Pro offers expanded access to AI systems, such as GPT-4 or Claude Opus. Perplexity is available on the web and in mobile applications.
Kagi Search: use AI when you need it
Kagi Search promises tracking-free and ad-free results. The system draws on a variety of sources, including its own web and news indexes and Wolfram Alpha. Kagi meaningfully filters and sorts the data to deliver relevant results.
Kagi offers three distinct AI-powered services:
- Fast answer: Summarizes a set of search results. This option is optional and is displayed as a menu item along with other filters and sorts.
- Resume: Create a summary from a web link or text.
- Fast GPT: It serves as a standard AI chatbot but responds to a single query, unlike services like ChatGPT, which support a series of questions and answers.
Kagi Search can be tried free for up to 100 searches, with paid plans available for additional use.
Arc Search: AI-powered mobile search
Created by The Browser Company, Arc Search is a search-focused, AI-enabled app for iPhone. Arc Search includes these three AI features:
- Find me: It takes your search terms (or messages) and leverages AI to craft the answer pulled from multiple pages of search results. This changes the search experience from first opening a successive series of links and then reading the results, to reviewing the results first and then optionally opening links.
- Pinch to summarize: Instead, this feature uses AI to capture the key points found on a single web page.
- Raise to call: It allows you to say your search and receive a response read by a synthesized voice.
Additionally, you can set Kagi or Perplexity (among other options) as the system's secondary search engine, which will otherwise be Google by default.
Exa: LLM and people search
Exa primarily seeks to meet the search needs of large AI language models, but also provides a browser interface for people to use. Exa works best when you structure your search as a statement. For example, “This is how startup founders approach time management” instead of using a series of keywords or a question. (A setting may allow the system to automatically restructure your message if you enter a question.)
Exa provides information that you would otherwise need to repeatedly review many web pages to obtain. For example, instead of showing users links to lists, Exa aims to consolidate the content of those lists and link to them.
Three more alternatives to the standard search
The search field remains intensely competitive. In addition to the options mentioned above, contenders include:
- Microsoft Copilot: It builds on the company's experience in the Bing search engine and offers free and paid AI search solutions.
- Assimilate: Elon Musk's X makes Grok available to X Premium or Premium+ subscribers in several countries. Grok is particularly useful when you want a summary of recent and widely discussed posts on X.
- Brave Software: It offers “Response with AI” in its standalone search service and offers an AI assistant, Leo, with free and paid versions available, built into the Brave browser.
What search services and apps do you use? Which of the above apps and services do you use frequently? Are there any other AI-based search systems you recommend? Mention me or message me on X (@awolber) to tell me how AI and LLMs are changing the way you search.
