Surging EU user base puts ChatGPT Search on track for stricter regulation under Europe’s Digital Services Act

ChatGPT Search, the feature that allows OpenAI’s chatbot to pull real-time information from the web, is experiencing rapid growth across Europe, according to newly disclosed company data.

In a regulatory filing by OpenAI Ireland Limited, a European subsidiary of the U.S.-based tech firm, the number of average monthly active users of ChatGPT Search in the EU reached approximately 41.3 million during the six-month period ending March 31, 2025. That figure marks a substantial increase from 11.2 million users in the previous six-month window, which ended in October 2024.

The data was published in accordance with the Digital Services Act (DSA), a sweeping EU regulation designed to hold large tech platforms accountable for transparency and user protections. Under the DSA, “monthly active recipients” are defined as users who interact with a service at least once in a given period—whether by viewing, listening, or submitting information on a platform.

If the current trajectory continues, ChatGPT Search could soon qualify as a “very large online platform” under the DSA, a designation that applies to services with more than 45 million monthly users in the EU. That status would subject OpenAI to a new set of legal obligations, including allowing users to opt out of algorithmic recommendations, sharing platform data with regulators and researchers, and undergoing independent audits.

Non-compliance with the DSA can result in hefty penalties—up to 6% of global turnover—and persistent violations may lead to temporary suspensions within the European market.

Since its launch last year, ChatGPT Search has positioned itself as an emerging alternative to traditional engines like Google. A September 2024 survey found that 8% of respondents said they would prefer using ChatGPT over Google as their primary search engine. However, Google still dominates the online search landscape, reportedly handling 373 times more search queries than ChatGPT.

Despite its growth, ChatGPT Search continues to face questions over accuracy and reliability. In one study, the AI-powered tool misidentified 67% of articles users were searching for. Another report highlighted factual inconsistencies, including errors in news content—some from publishers that have licensing agreements with OpenAI.

As usage increases, the scrutiny around ChatGPT Search is likely to grow alongside it, particularly from European regulators who are ramping up enforcement of the DSA’s provisions.