OpenAI is refining how its ChatGPT assistant interacts with the web, enabling the chatbot’s memory of past conversations to inform its online search queries. This enhancement, identified as “Memory with Search” in company release notes around April 16th, allows ChatGPT to utilize details users have previously shared or that it has inferred – like preferences or location context – to tailor the searches it performs when seeking current information online.
This is an extension of the original Memory feature that OpenAI began testing in February 2024 before expanding its availability to Plus subscribers. While the initial Memory function allowed the chatbot to retain information across different chat sessions, Memory with Search specifically applies that retained context when the chatbot queries external web sources via partners such as Microsoft Bing.
Tailoring Queries Based On Past Interactions
The primary function of Memory with Search is to enable ChatGPT to automatically refine generic user prompts into more specific search terms. As OpenAI’s support documentation outlines, if ChatGPT knows from memory that a user is vegan and located in San Francisco, a general request like “what are some restaurants near me that I’d like” could be translated into the more targeted search query “good vegan restaurants San Francisco.” This illustrates how stored context can yield more personalized search outcomes without the user needing to reiterate their preferences.
This appears linked to OpenAI’s more recent models, specifically o3 and o4-mini, which were mentioned in the April 16th release notes. These models are described as possessing improved reasoning and a capacity for more independent, or agentic, use of tools—determining when and how to deploy features like web search, potentially using memory as a factor in that decision.
Users maintain oversight of this functionality. The Memory feature can be deactivated entirely through ChatGPT’s settings, which also prevents it from influencing web search personalization. Further details on managing memory are available in the Memory FAQ. Regarding data privacy, OpenAI clarifies that while general location information derived from an IP address might be sent to search partners to improve results, the user’s specific IP address and account details are not shared.
Context Within The AI Assistant Field
OpenAI’s introduction of Memory with Search reflects a broader trend among major AI chatbot developers aiming for more continuous and personalized user experiences. Google added cross-chat memory recall to its paid Gemini Advanced service in February5. Soon after, Microsoft introduced a memory function for its Copilot assistant in early April.
Notably, Elon Musk’s xAI also announced a memory feature for its Grok chatbot around the same time as OpenAI’s update.. While these memory functions enhance usability, they continue to spotlight security considerations. The potential for prompt injection attacks—malicious instructions hidden in prompts tricking the AI into revealing stored data—remains a known challenge, as seen in previous analyses of both ChatGPT’s and Gemini’s memory systems.
Availability And Usage Considerations
Some users began seeing the Memory with Search integration recently, although OpenAI has not specified a complete rollout schedule for all user tiers or regions. The core ChatGPT search function is available on the web and via the ChatGPT desktop and mobile apps.
Searches can be initiated through a dedicated icon, the “/” shortcut, or by requesting ChatGPT regenerate a previous response using web information. Search-augmented responses include inline citations (hover-enabled on desktop web for details) and a final “Sources” button listing references.
An important consideration for users, especially those on paid plans, is that invoking the search function, including searches influenced by memory, counts towards the GPT-4o message limits associated with their subscription. For closer browser integration, OpenAI also provides a Chrome Extension allowing users to set ChatGPT as their default search engine.
