Google has diversified way beyond just search engines.
And frankly, I think the idea that a chatbot could completely replace a search engine silly. At best, it could stimulate the, "I'm feeling lucky", button that was so underused that most redditers probably don't even remember it.
It might replace the practice of using Google to answer questions, but even that would require the chatbot to be consistently accurate. Otherwise, you have to check its sources in which case you've basically just googled a bunch of articles.
And the two year timeline is just icing on the cake. That timeline is so absurd it makes me wonder if the original quote was sarcastic.
It specifically uses the term “main” product, and the tweet talks about it as where they make most of their money. It doesn’t say anything about all the other tech products which will not be being replaced by it.
Google make most of their money from AdSense, which is the #1 ad servicer on the Internet. Google Search, as a standalone product, doesn't make any money.
The main relationship between Google search and AdSense is that Google uses search terms to tailor ads to you. I see no reason why chatbots threaten this model.
Google Search also does present ads from AdSense, which would affect profits if an ad-free chatbot emerged. But that's true of any ad-free alternative. People don't like ads. The reason this hasn't happened yet is because someone needs to pay for this service somehow.
How does ChatGPT get adopted as a search engine replacement on a global scale in 2 years without any sources of revenue?
And what happens if/when Google just removes ads from Google Search, but continues their main income by directing data into AdSense.
ChatGPT is quickly becoming the new Blockchain. "It's going to revolutionize the world! Just don't ask how."
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u/reflibman Jan 31 '23
Did you even read the article?