ChatGPT search, a feature within OpenAI's popular chatbot that allows it to access and incorporate real-time web information into its responses, is experiencing significant growth in Europe, according to recent data from OpenAI Ireland Limited. For the six-month period ending March 31, 2025, ChatGPT search had an average of 41.3 million monthly active recipients, up from 11.2 million in the six-month period ending October 31, 2024. This rapid expansion is a reflection of the increasing interest in AI-driven search tools. OpenAI's compliance with the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA) requires it to regularly publish these user statistics. The DSA defines monthly active recipients as individuals who engage with the service at least once within a given period, whether by viewing or listening to information disseminated online or by providing their own content. The DSA mandates that “very large” online platforms or search engines—those with over 45 million average monthly recipients—allow users to opt out of recommendation systems and profiling, share specific data with researchers and regulatory authorities, and undergo external audits. With its current trajectory, ChatGPT search may soon be categorized as a "very large" platform, subjecting it to these additional requirements. Non-compliance with the DSA can result in fines of up to 6% of a platform's global turnover. Repeated violations could lead to a temporary suspension within the EU, underscoring the seriousness of the regulations. ChatGPT search has made notable inroads against established players like Google since its introduction last year. A September poll revealed that 8% of respondents preferred ChatGPT over Google as their primary search engine. However, Google remains the dominant force, handling an estimated 373 times more searches than ChatGPT. Despite its growing popularity, ChatGPT search and other AI-powered search engines have been critiqued for reliability issues. One study found that ChatGPT incorrectly identified 67% of the articles it was tasked with finding. Another study highlighted accuracy problems with how ChatGPT handles news content, even from publishers with which OpenAI has licensing agreements. These findings indicate that while AI-driven search tools are gaining traction, they still have a long way to go in terms of accuracy and reliability. As more users turn to these platforms, the need for robust oversight and continuous improvement becomes increasingly apparent. OpenAI and other developers must address these concerns to build trust and ensure that their services meet the standards expected by users and regulatory bodies.