ChatGPT Search is rapidly gaining traction across Europe, according to new data released by OpenAI. The feature, which allows ChatGPT to pull in fresh web content during conversations, has seen a surge in active users as interest in AI-powered search tools continues to rise.
OpenAI Ireland Limited, the company’s EU entity, disclosed that ChatGPT Search averaged around 41.3 million monthly active users in the European Union over the six months ending March 31, 2025. That’s a nearly 4x increase from the 11.2 million users it reported for the previous six-month period ending October 31, 2024.
This data is part of OpenAI’s required disclosures under the EU Digital Services Act (DSA), which mandates transparency from large online platforms operating within the region. Under the DSA, monthly active recipients refer to users who either view, listen to, or interact with content through the service interface at least once during the specified period.
If ChatGPT Search continues on this growth trajectory and surpasses the 45 million monthly user threshold, OpenAI may soon fall under the DSA’s “very large platform” category. This would bring additional regulatory obligations — such as giving users more control over personalization, sharing data with independent researchers, and undergoing external audits.
Failing to meet these compliance rules could cost platforms dearly. The DSA allows the EU to impose fines of up to 6% of global revenue for violations, with even harsher penalties like temporary bans for repeat offenders.
Although ChatGPT Search is still far from dethroning traditional search engines, it’s steadily chipping away at market share. A survey from September 2024 showed that 8% of users would rather search with ChatGPT than Google, indicating a notable shift in consumer preference. However, Google still processes over 370 times more queries than ChatGPT, keeping it firmly in the lead for now.
Despite its growth, AI-powered search isn’t without flaws. Independent studies have found that ChatGPT Search misidentifies search results more often than conventional engines. One study found a 67% error rate in identifying accurate articles. Another flagged issues with how ChatGPT summarizes news stories, including those from publishers that have licensing deals with OpenAI.
Still, as AI search becomes more integrated into everyday use, platforms like ChatGPT Search are reshaping how people discover information online — and drawing greater scrutiny in the process.
