OpenAI announced a visual upgrade to ChatGPT, adding more images from the web for answers about people, places, products, and other common topics.

How it works. The update takes ChatGPT from simple answers to a more search-like experience:

  • Images will appear when they add clarity.
  • The web-sourced images will appear next to the most relevant text.
  • Clicking an image will let you see it in its original dimensions and the source attribution.

Where it’s live. This update is rolling out globally and gradually across all ChatGPT plans:

  • It’s available on web, iOS, and Android.
  • Works only with responses generated by GPT 5.1.

Why we care. Search is becoming more multimodal (text, images, videos, and audio – all together). Now, in addition to making sure your brand is included in AI answers, you must think about how (or whether) your visuals appear when ChatGPT answers queries.

OpenAI’s announcement. More images in answers

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Danny GoodwinDanny Goodwin

Danny Goodwin is Editorial Director of Search Engine Land & Search Marketing Expo – SMX. He joined Search Engine Land in 2022 as Senior Editor. In addition to reporting on the latest search marketing news, he manages Search Engine Land’s SME (Subject Matter Expert) program. He also helps program U.S. SMX events.

Goodwin has been editing and writing about the latest developments and trends in search and digital marketing since 2007. He previously was Executive Editor of Search Engine Journal (from 2017 to 2022), managing editor of Momentology (from 2014-2016) and editor of Search Engine Watch (from 2007 to 2014). He has spoken at many major search conferences and virtual events, and has been sourced for his expertise by a wide range of publications and podcasts.