75% of knowledge workers use AI tools at work
In the latest developments of the AI (artificial intelligence) industry, ChatGPT Search, also known as SearchGPT, has officially been rolled out as of November 1, 2024. Per OpenAI’s website, ChatGPT Search enables you to get “fast, timely answers with links to relevant web sources, which you would have previously needed to go to a search engine for.”
This capability, which was initially tested on a select group of users for an initial trial period in July of this year, can be accessed via the globe icon in the chat for premium ChatGPT Plus and Team users. When you enter your prompt, the bot will respond with information collated from various sources on the web, that it integrates as part of the flow of your conversation with it.
Some 75% of knowledge workers now use AI at work, according to Microsoft and LinkedIn’s Work Trend Index 2024. And then there are those who use AI tools daily and always like to think of how AI can enable their tasks, who are sometimes known by the nickname of AI “power users.” For all AI enthusiasts at work who tend to use ChatGPT or other AI tools daily or weekly to assist them with tasks such as market research and SEO content creation, the addition of new features such as ChatGPT Search certainly comes as welcome news as it adds value to your experience using this application.
But beyond the traditional workplace, AI tools such as ChatGPT Search can also be used for making money online as a freelancer or to help you start or continue to manage your side hustle.
3 Ways To Use ChatGPT Search To Make Money Online In 2024
Let’s explore a couple of ways ChatGPT Search can make you more money:
1. Freelance Writing And Content Creation
The real-time search element of ChatGPT is certainly beneficial for you if you’re a freelance writer. For example, you might be using ChatGPT already to help you draft outlines for your work and to brainstorm ideas. But with the addition of the web search capability, you can find the latest research as well, in the same place.
However, it’s important to not get super-ambitions with the search feature to the point that you trust it implicitly and don’t check out the sources or use other methods of research. Within the few days since it has been launched, some users report inaccuracies with the search data and problems with the response being too generalist.
Nonetheless, this feature does help you by saving significant time.
2. Affiliate Marketing
You can also use ChatGPT Search to identify trending products for affiliate marketing. Whereas previously, ChatGPT had limitations in that it could only access a bank of information up to its last knowledge update, it is now easier for you to spot trends and fresh products or services, including new affiliate marketing programs that you might not have known existed if you used ChatGPT on its own like before. Affiliate marketing is a source of passive income, so not only is ChatGPT Search helping you make money passively, but it saves you time while in the research process.
3. Social Media Content Creation
Social media thrives on trends and is constantly shifting focus. Whether you’re on TikTok or Instagram, there’s always something new that’s catching on and capturing users’ attention. The real-time search capability of ChatGPT can help you leverage current trends and inform your content planning and scheduling for your social media posts—whether you’re a content creator, influencer, or freelance social media manager/consultant. Here’s an example of what this looks like in practice:
Prompt: “Give me the current TikTok trends and some TikTok post ideas which are relevant to these trends.”
ChatGPT’s answer rendered me this (not the full answer as all the options listed would be too long for this article—it’s down to you to experiment):
“As of November 2024, TikTok is buzzing with several engaging trends. Here are some current trends along with post ideas to help you tap into them:
“Underconsumption Core Trend Overview: Users are embracing minimalism by focusing on using only what they need, sharing tips on reducing consumption and promoting sustainable living. (ChatGPT then references to an article by The Times)
“Post Ideas:
- “Share a ‘day in the life’ video showcasing how you minimize waste and make eco-friendly choices.
- “Create a tutorial on repurposing household items instead of buying new ones.
- “Discuss your journey towards a minimalist lifestyle and the benefits you’ve experienced.”
As you can see from above, by creating a prompt aligned with exactly what you are looking for, you can uncover the latest insights and make your market research much easier, while integrating the findings seamlessly into your chat experience and adding to ChatGPT’s memory bank.
ChatGPT Search gives you real-time updates to supercharge your market research and data analysis
The beauty of AI is that there are multiple use cases—many of which perhaps have not even been discovered or tested as yet. So it rests with you—how will you use ChatGPT Search (or SearchGPT) to make more money and build passive income through freelancing and side hustles this year?