A short while ago, I launched the recently debuted Arc Search application and entered the query, “What occurred in the Chiefs game.” This particular game, the AFC Championship, had just concluded. Typically, I would resort to Googling it, clicking on multiple links, and perusing the game details that way. However, within Arc Search, I inputted the query and opted for the “Browse for me” function instead.
Arc Search, a novel iOS app developed by The Browser Company, the entity behind the Arc browser project over the past few years, sprang into action. It meticulously combed through the web—revealing that it had scanned through six pages encompassing Twitter, The Guardian, and USA Today—and swiftly presented a plethora of information. The findings included the headline stating the Chiefs’ victory, the final score, the pivotal play, a brief mention of a notable event reiterating the Chiefs’ win, a snippet regarding Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift, an array of related links, and additional bullet points detailing the game.
In essence, rather than furnishing an array of search results related to the Chiefs game, Arc Search constructed a dedicated webpage encapsulating the essential details. Embedded within this approach is The Browser Company’s visionary concept regarding the future of web browsers—that a browser, a search engine, an AI chatbot, and a website are not distinct entities but rather integral components of an internet information aggregator, seamlessly integrated within a singular application.
Moreover, the introduction of the “Browse for me” feature signifies a pivotal transition for the Arc browser. Initially serving as a companion app for desktop users, primarily facilitating access to open tabs, the company is now gearing up to introduce its cross-platform synchronization system, Arc Anywhere, to Windows users. Concurrently, The Browser Company aims to extend these AI-driven functionalities to Arc on various platforms. Eventually, CEO Josh Miller envisions that Arc Search will evolve into Arc, becoming the company’s sole mobile application.
While the “Browse for me” feature exhibits notable prowess, it is not devoid of imperfections. For instance, when querying “What’s Pete Davidson up to,” the search results provide a high-level overview of his recent film projects and breakup news, along with links to his Wikipedia page and news sites’ tag pages—a mix of useful and mediocre information. However, the system’s citation of sources remains a challenge, undermining complete trust in the accuracy of the information presented. Nevertheless, the inclusion of a “Dive Deeper” section featuring an array of links attempts to mitigate this limitation, albeit with varying degrees of reliability.
The system’s performance has shown significant enhancement during my testing period, with Miller affirming the potential for further refinement in Arc Search’s capabilities. Leveraging a blend of OpenAI and other AI models, Arc has long been committed to advancing AI technology, with its Arc Max features garnering positive user feedback. As generative AI tools continue to evolve across the industry, so too will Arc’s capabilities.
Beyond its AI capabilities, I find Arc Search to be a commendable browser—streamlined, swift, and featuring an interface that opens directly to an empty search box, aligning well with mobile usage patterns. However, this places The Browser Company at the center of complex discussions surrounding AI ethics and practices. Will the company collaborate with content publishers to source information? How will Arc’s AI attribute its sources? To what extent should these responses be personalized, and what are the associated limitations? Given the resource-intensive nature of such searches, could Arc Search potentially transition into a paid product in the future? While the company has yet to divulge detailed plans in these areas, a myriad of questions loom on the horizon.
From a product standpoint, Arc Search embodies a promising vision of AI-driven search functionality, distinct from existing offerings like Copilot and Perplexity.AI, which primarily function as chatbots with web browsing capabilities. Arc Search envisions a different paradigm—an AI interface that dynamically constructs webpages in response to user queries, offering a fresh perspective on search interactions.
Looking ahead, as millions prepare to inquire about the Super Bowl’s commencement time next week, I am already informed, having opted for the “Browse for me” feature. In addition to the game’s schedule, I now possess insights on its location, viewing options, and a friendly reminder to clear my calendar for Usher’s halftime performance. Undeniably, this represents a commendable search outcome.
