A few minutes into using ChatGPT Atlas, OpenAI’s new internet browser, I quickly encountered significant limitations. Unlike widely used browsers such as Google Chrome, which holds about 60% of the market share, Atlas revolves entirely around a chatbot interface designed to navigate the web through conversation.
Messages such as “Messages limit reached”, “No available models support the tools in use”, and “You’ve hit the free plan limit for GPT-5” repeatedly appeared. While OpenAI promises a more seamless and efficient online experience, the platform’s full capabilities are tied to paid subscriptions, highlighting the company’s push to monetize its 800 million users.
Rethinking web browsing
OpenAI positions Atlas as an opportunity to “rethink what it means to use the web”. At first glance, it resembles conventional browsers like Chrome or Safari, but its defining feature is the sidebar chatbot. On a train-booking website, for instance, Atlas could suggest deals or compare prices. However, functions such as booking a train were limited to paying users. Even basic tasks, such as locating a previously read article, demonstrated both the browser’s promise and its current restrictions.
Early impressions suggest that while Atlas could transform how people navigate the internet, it will remain a premium product requiring a subscription to unlock its full potential—a significant shift in user habits accustomed to free web browsing.
Revenue, data, and competition
OpenAI’s original mission was to develop artificial general intelligence, an AI capable of human-level reasoning. A browser may not directly advance this goal, but it offers a path for revenue generation. With billions invested by venture capitalists, OpenAI is under pressure to deliver returns. Traditional ad-based monetization carries risks, as user experience could suffer, according to Stephanie Liu, senior analyst at Forrester.
Currently, only about 5% of ChatGPT users subscribe to paid plans, highlighting the challenge of convincing users to pay for Atlas. Beyond revenue, the browser could provide OpenAI with vast amounts of user data, essential for improving AI tools. As Liu notes, the potential privacy risks may deter users who value anonymity.
Challenging the tech giants
Atlas also faces stiff competition. Google Chrome dominates global browsing, prompting scrutiny over potential monopolistic practices. Microsoft has integrated its Copilot AI into Edge, while Google has rolled out Gemini AI within its search engine. Early expectations positioned ChatGPT as a “Google killer,” but that scenario remains distant.
Some experts, however, see potential. Erik Goins, founder of app developer Flywheel Studios, suggests Atlas could disrupt traditional search models by eliminating the middleman. Instead of sifting through search results, users could ask the chatbot directly, streamlining the process. Whether users will pay for this convenience on a large scale remains uncertain, and dethroning Google will be a long-term challenge.
Source: BBC