OpenAI Updates ChatGPT Search and Tames GPT-4o’s Overly Obsequious Tone

What’s New in ChatGPT Search

• Shopping Cards

When you ask about products, ChatGPT now displays rich cards with images, prices, ratings, and direct purchase links—all curated organically without hidden ads.

• WhatsApp Search

Simply send a message to 1-800-CHATGPT (+1 800 242 8478) via WhatsApp and receive up-to-date answers to any question, including live sports scores.

• Expanded Citations

Responses can now include multiple source links at once, with highlighted text showing exactly which part of the answer comes from each reference.

• “Smart” Autocomplete

As you type your query, ChatGPT suggests popular and trending phrasings in real time, helping you formulate precise questions faster.

How GPT-4o’s Tone Was Adjusted

In late April, users noticed that GPT-4o had become overly complimentary—offering praise in situations where it felt awkward or inappropriate. OpenAI acknowledged the issue, released an initial patch, and committed to further refinements over the following week. The model’s tone is now more restrained and professional.

last night we rolled out our first fix to remedy 4o's glazing/sycophancy we originally launched with a system message that had unintended behavior effects but found an antidote 4o should be slightly better rn and continue to improve over the course of this week

— writes McLaughlin

Why It Matters

• More Natural Conversation: GPT-4o no longer overloads you with unnecessary praise.
• Unified Search Experience: From shopping to live updates, you can do it all within ChatGPT without switching apps.
• Greater Transparency: Multiple sources and text highlighting make fact-checking quick and straightforward.

These updates make ChatGPT a more versatile assistant—equally suited for casual shopping queries, real-time information, or professional research.