Unlocking the Power of Search: Web Engines vs. AI Chatbots
What’s the Best Way to Find Answers in 2024?
Have you ever found yourself lost in a sea of Google™ results, spending valuable time sifting through pages and pages of information and wondered if there’s a faster way to get concise answers? There is! Enter the era of AI chatbots—a transformative way to search and interact with information.
In this blog, we’ll demystify how traditional web searches differ from AI chatbot “searches.” Whether you’re a seasoned Googler or not, we will introduce you to the new to the world of conversational AI. This guide will help you decide when to stick with search engines and when to ask a chatbot.
Prefer to watch the video? Click Here
Web Search: Your Go-To Librarian
For decades, web search engines like Google™ and Edge™ have been the backbone of online exploration. They’re like a librarian with an encyclopedic memory, ready to pull books (or web pages) for your review.
How It Works
Indexing: Search engines use sophisticated algorithms (software programs) to crawl (explore) the internet and catalog web pages across the Internet based on keywords defined in the master list of key terms and words known as an index.
Search Results: When you type a query, the search engine evaluates the keywords in your search request and then finds and ranks relevant content, presenting a list of clickable links.
Strengths of Web Search
Broad Scope: Ideal for finding diverse perspectives or comprehensive information.
Trusted Sources: Provides the source of the information and typically offers access to verified websites like .gov, .edu, or other reputable organizations.
Limitations
Information Overload: Requires significant effort to sift through results.
Static Interaction: There is no option to ask follow-up questions or provide clarifications without restarting the search.
AI Chatbot Searches: Your Personal Assistant
AI chatbots like ChatGPT, Google Bard, and Bing AI take searching to the next level. Imagine having a personal assistant who not only finds answers but explains them conversationally.
How It Works
Conversational AI: These tools process queries in natural language (the way humans communicate with each other), responding conversationally rather than delivering links.
Context Retention: Chatbots remember your previous questions, making follow-ups seamless.
Strengths of AI Chatbots
Quick Summaries: Instant answers distilled from multiple sources.
Interactive: You can refine your query or ask related questions without starting over.
Limitations
Transparency: Chatbots often summarize without clear source attribution. (note some chatbots automatically include the most relevant sources).
Scope: Best for general guidance or overviews, less reliable for deep research.
Comparing the Two: Pros and Cons
A Real-World Example: Searching for “Best streaming service for families”
Scenario 1: Google Search
Type: “Best streaming service for families.”
Result: About 500,000 results, including reviews, blog posts, comparison sites, and ads.
Experience: You spend 25 minutes reading articles and cross-referencing features like family-friendly content, offline viewing, and price plans. It’s overwhelming, and you’re still undecided.
Scenario 2: AI Chatbot Query - open your favorite chatbot. If you do not have one, try www. ChatGPT.com
Type: “Which streaming service is best for families and why?”
Result:
1. Disney+
Why It’s Great for Families:
Family-Friendly Content: Offers a vast library of Disney classics, Pixar movies, Marvel films, Star Wars series, and National Geographic documentaries.
Exclusive Originals: Shows like The Mandalorian and Bluey cater to both kids and adults.
Affordable: Typically priced lower than some competitors.
User Profiles & Parental Controls: Allows individual profiles, with kid-specific settings to filter age-appropriate content.
Best For: Families with young children or fans of Disney and Marvel franchises.
2. Netflix
Why It’s Great for Families:
Variety of Content: From animated series for kids (Cocomelon, Kung Fu Panda: The Dragon Knight) to family-friendly movies and adult dramas.
Parental Controls: Can restrict content based on maturity ratings and lock profiles with PINs.
Original Content: Offers family-oriented originals like Karma’s World, The Mitchells vs. The Machines, and Enola Holmes.
Offline Viewing: Download options for road trips and vacations.
Best For: Families who want diverse content for all age groups, including kids, teens, and parents.
3. Amazon Prime Video….
The results go on and definitely would help us to understand our options and determine which we might choose for our family, but we can still do better…
In the same “Chat” Type: “Please summarize that in a concise table and includes monthly prices in one of the columns”, and you are likely to get a result that looks something like this.
Partial Results Table - Chatbot Notes on Pricing:
Prices are approximate and may vary by region or promotions.
Free trials are available for most services, making it easy to explore options before committing.
Time saved: An instant, tailored summary that highlights key differences to help you decide quickly.
This example shows how an AI chatbot simplifies decision-making, offering concise insights without the need to dig through countless search results.
Which Tool Should You Use?
The answer is “It depends…”
Use Web Search When:
You need in-depth research or highly credible sources. Note: It is up to you do have to make a determination of which resources in your response are credible.
You’re exploring multiple viewpoints on a topic.
You just need a quick fact.
Use AI Chatbots When:
You need quick answers or brainstorming ideas.
You prefer an interactive, conversational approach.
Your request is too complex to return a useful web search.
Key Terms You Should Know
Indexing: The process search engines use to organize web content.
Conversational AI: Chatbots designed to interact in natural language.
Context Retention: A chatbot’s ability to remember your previous questions.
Want to learn more? Check out the video here.