New AI-based search systems often use large language models to generate explanations, consolidate content from multiple sources, or provide a coherent summary of a selected web page. The AI search systems covered below vary in when they deliver LLM-powered results (from only when requested to every time) and how much control you have over whether AI is used at all (from no control to fairly customizable search settings).
Reader beware: The main problem with LLMs is that the content is not always 100% accurate, so try all five search engines listed, but be sure to double-check all AI-generated answers.
Google’s AI overviews: Use for some searches
AI Overviews attempts to distill information from multiple sources into a single relevant answer, so you don’t have to sift through pages of links. Or, as Googlers described it, AI Overviews lets “Google Google for you.”
Like all the tools on this list, it’s new. Google announced AI Overviews, formerly known as Search Generative Experience, at Google I/O 2024.
First, an AI overview is most likely to appear on search queries that support brainstorming, planning, or understanding. For example, the screenshot shows the explanation generated in response to a sample query: “What are the chances of seeing a shooting star?” Notice that this answer contains some relevant links after the first paragraph.
Google is introducing AI Overviews as a feature of its free, ad-supported search service, available on the web and mobile apps, but it’s only available for a subset of searches.
Confusion: LL.M. for every search
Perplexity uses AI for every prompt, unlike Google’s AI summaries. In some cases, especially when a query is unclear, Perplexity will pause and ask you to clarify. This usually allows the system to tailor the answer to more closely match your question. Answers include easy-to-understand reference links, making it easier to check sources.
A free account includes a limited number of standard and pro searches. Selecting the pro option takes you to a better AI model, for example GPT-4o instead of GPT-3.5. A paid upgrade to Perplexity Pro provides advanced access to AI systems such as GPT-4 or Claude Opus. Perplexity is available on the web and mobile apps.
Kagi Search: Use AI when you need it
Kagi Search promises results without tracking and advertising. The system uses a variety of sources, including its own web and news indexes as well as Wolfram Alpha. Kagi filters and sorts the data considerably to deliver relevant results.
Kagi offers three different AI-powered services:
- Quick response: Summarizes a set of search results. This selection is optional and appears as a menu item alongside other filtering and sorting functions.
- In summary: Creates a summary from a web link or text.
- FastGPT: Serves as a standard AI chatbot, but responds to a single query, unlike services like ChatGPT that support a series of questions and answers.
You can try Kagi Search for free for up to 100 searches. Paid plans are available for additional usage.
Arc Search: AI-driven mobile search
Developed by The Browser Company, Arc Search is a search-centric AI-powered app for iPhone. Arc Search includes these three AI features:
- Search for me: Takes your search terms (or prompts) and uses AI to build the answer from multiple pages of search results. This changes the search experience: instead of opening a series of links first and then reading the results, it first reviews the results and then optionally opens links.
- All in all: In contrast, this feature uses AI to capture the key points of a single web page.
- Raise to call: You can enter your search query verbally and have the answer read out by a synthetic voice.
Additionally, you can set either Kagi or Perplexity (among other options) as the system’s secondary search engine, otherwise Google is set by default.
Exa: Search for LL.M. and people
Exa primarily aims to meet the search needs of large AI language models, but also provides a browser interface that users can use. Exa works best when you structure your search as a statement. For example, “This is how startup founders deal with time management,” rather than using a series of keywords or a question. (A setting can allow the system to automatically restructure your prompt when you type a question.)
Exa delivers information that you would otherwise have to search multiple websites to obtain. For example, instead of showing users links to list articles, Exa tries to consolidate the content of those lists and link to them instead.
Three more alternatives to the standard search
The search sector remains very competitive. In addition to the options mentioned above, there are also the following competitors:
- Copilot from Microsoft: Builds on the company’s Bing search engine expertise and offers both free and paid AI search solutions.
- Grok: Elon Musk’s X makes Grok available to X Premium or Premium+ subscribers in several countries. Grok is especially useful if you want a summary of recent, widely discussed posts about X.
- BraveSoftware: Offers “Answers with AI” in its independent search service and offers an AI assistant called Leo, available in both free and paid versions and integrated 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-powered search systems you recommend? Mention me or message me at X (@awolber) to let me know how AI and LLMs are changing your search habits.
