Google Search Engine has its own algorithm to provide relevant search results – information already accessible on the internet – based on keywords and phrases in the user’s request. Consequently, users need to be strategic on what they input in the search bar to optimize the chance of getting the information they wanted. They first need to identify keywords related to their request and then search accordingly. On the other hand, ChatGPT is a Large Language Model which is trained upon the data fed to it. Its responses are catered for each request based on its cumulative intelligence, not just taking published information on the internet. Additionally, unlike Google, it does not only rely on keywords to understand your request but also, uses natural language processing algorithms to analyze the context and intent behind the entire request. This is the reason why you can talk to ChatGPT like a human.
However, this is also one of the major weaknesses of ChatGPT. Unlike Google, the user is not in control of the sources where the information is being provided by. This is why ChatGPT is not accepted as a credible source which can be cited in coursework or research projects. Instead, you can first verify the accuracy of the information by using a reliable source(s) and then use those source(s) for citation.