The problem isn't that they don't have a ChatGPT ready (they do -- and it's probably better, I'm certain) .. but rather that, by even doing so (providing a chatgpt based search) they undermine their entire business foundation. Because now if you want to know something, you simply chat, and instantly presents a dialog with your answer. And with seemingly unlimited capabilities to write follow-up questions just like you would to a normal person.
How are you going to sell ads to that? Imagine talking to a chat bot that tries to sell you a new refrigerator when you're asking about something else, awkward? That's not going to happen.
That's why it's worse than a strategic mistake, it's an extensional threat-- they are damned to undermine the entire foundation in any direction they take.
I'm reluctant to type this, but there's definitely a few ways they can monetize the experience. Just look at how some other companies have monetized their users:
- Roll a video ad inside of a modal popup before showing you the result of your query/question.
- Give users a number of free queries/day, then prompt them to pay a subscription fee for "unlimited" queries.
I'm sure they'll find a way. You might not like it, but they'll figure it out.
https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/elon-mus...