ChatGPT Arrives on Web Browsers
US-based company OpenAI announced the expansion of its ChatGPT integration with web browsers, through an update to “Side Chat” that simultaneously includes the dedicated Chrome extension and the desktop application. The update allows users to ask questions directly about the content they are browsing, rather than manually copying and pasting text into a separate chat window as was previously customary.
This development comes weeks after the company’s decision to discontinue its standalone “Atlas” browser, signaling a strategic shift toward embedding AI capabilities within existing browsers instead of launching separate products. According to the company, the new “Side Chat” feature enables users to inquire about YouTube videos, understand highlighted text, and reference multiple open tabs simultaneously.
The desktop version of the application includes additional features: ChatGPT suggests website titles while typing, allows users to return to their browsing history, and grants users greater control over how their data is managed during browsing. Observers note that this feature closely resembles Google’s “Gemini” tool within the Chrome browser, albeit using a different language model.
To activate the service, users need the latest version of the desktop application or the Chrome extension, then open any webpage or video and launch “Side Chat” directly from within the browser. From there, users can highlight specific text or ask questions related to the displayed page content, while the desktop version provides instant suggestions for website titles while typing.
According to the company’s clarification, the key distinction of this update is the elimination of the need to copy links or paste long text segments before seeking assistance. The tool offers a number of practical uses, including:
In this context, the company noted that presenting complex texts to ChatGPT in simplified language, and providing users with a single realistic example, transforms the tool into a genuine research assistant during browsing, rather than merely a chat window disconnected from the reading experience.
The service rollout is still gradual, as not all users have gained immediate access following the update. However, observers believe this trend reflects intensifying competition among major AI companies to solidify their presence within the daily browsing experience, moving beyond traditional text-based conversations toward direct contextual assistance that accompanies users as they navigate between pages.
