Peeking inside OpenAI’s SearchGPT

OpenAI launches SearchGPT prototype

What’s new? Last Thursday, OpenAI launched the prototype of SearchGPT. SearchGPT is an AI-driven search engine that aims to surface real-time information.  

How does it work? The announcement only showcases a handful of examples of the tool in practice, but the output is either a list of sources with brief descriptions or an AI-generated text referencing the sources it uses when prompted by a search query.  

Some publishers are positive: SearchGPT was created with publishers who have struck deals with OpenAI, such as The Atlantic and News Corps. OpenAI reassured publishers that they’ll be able to “manage how they appear in SearchGPT”.  

Others are wary: The topic of an AI search engine has gotten publishers worried about the rightful use of their content, how it will be displayed in the results, and how it will impact website traffic. Publishers have reason to be cautious. Perplexity recently announced its own revenue-sharing plan after being in hot water for using publishers’ content without referencing them and ignoring their “do not scrape” website code. 

Have your say: Share your feedback on the prototype via publishers-feedback@openai.com.  

How podcasts made 2023 Slate’s most profitable year in its 27-year history. 

By the figures: According to Digital Content Next and Semafor,  

• Podcasting represents 25% of Slate’s total revenue and 50% of its ad revenue.  
• Slate Plus membership revenue doubled from 2022 to 2024. Membership gives access to ad-free listening and bonus podcast episodes in addition to Slate’s website and newsletter.  

What’s behind their success? Slate jumped into the audio business early on (in 2005), so they have a wealth of audio production experience to build on. Since then, they’ve been able to create a vast array of award-winning shows with stellar content.

But that’s not all: They also offer a lot of bonus content behind the Slate Plus membership that draws in those willing to pay. They’re also adept at cross-promoting their content across podcasts to market their membership advantages. 

Why audio is important: “It really is the only medium that I can think of where people have a higher tolerance for longer content, which is very powerful in this world where everything is just sound bites and TikTok videos”, shared Cheryl Brumley, Global Head of Audio at The Financial Times. Additionally, the Reuters’ Digital News Report shows that audio news is increasingly favored by those under 35, with 17% preferring audio formats over other media types. 

3 takeaways from the Schibsted Future Report 2024 

Catch up: Norwegian media group Schibsted released its 10th annual Future Report 2024. Here are some takeaways news publishers may find relevant.  

News organizations are stuck between a rock and a hard place: Either they change too quickly and their loyal bases protest, or they don’t adapt fast enough and they lose untapped audiences. What can help? Deliberately allocating resources to build products focused on the next generation. 

AI summaries are seeing success: Norwegian tabloid paper VG found that the click-through rate on their AI-generated summaries at the start of articles was 19%. With young audiences, this jumps up to 27%. “You might think that there is a risk that these readers don’t read the whole article – but it turns out that they often do. They simply use the summary as an introduction.”

New rules, changing models: As new legal frameworks concerning data protection and consumer rights emerge, big tech companies seek alternative ways to monetize their platforms. For example, restrictions on targeted advertising are leading companies to explore paywalls, subscription models, enhanced services, and exclusive content offerings. 

Meet the Product Panel speakers at Twipe’s Digital Growth Summit

• Mariah Craddick: Executive Director of Product, The Atlantic

• Christian Röpke: Chief Product Officer, ZEIT Publishing Group

• Max Leroy: Vice President of Product, POLITICO Europe (Moderator)

Last chance!

Use discount code ‘NewsletterSubs’ to get a 20% discount on Digital Growth Summit tickets until August 2nd. 

See you on October 8th in Brussels! 

🥇Let the games begin! 

Twipe customer update

As the Paris 2024 Olympics captivate audiences worldwide, we’re excited to celebrate alongside our French customers covering this event in their capital!

🗞️ What we’re reading

The Guardian’s cooking app, Feast, surpassed 100,000 downloads since its launch in April. 

Journalism.co.uk put together a list of 9 different AI tools to try that you may not have heard of.  

Read how Mill Media is growing the local journalism scene in the UK.  

💡 Twipee recommendations 

Varvara Litvinova, Twipe’s Technical Support Engineer, suggests watching a few of Netflix’s comedy specials—from Niel Brennan and Hannah Gadsby to Ricky Gervais and Michelle Wolf. 

Her take on these comics: “There’s a good balance between sophistication and ‘dumbness’, kindness versus nihilism”.