# ChatGPT designated "very large search engine" under EU law

> EU designated ChatGPT a Very Large Online Search Engine on 31 August 2026.

*Brussels puts ChatGPT in the same DSA category as Google and Bing, giving OpenAI four months to comply.*

By Behzad Hosseini · FeaturedDaily
Canonical: https://featureddaily.com/news/chatgpt-designated-very-large-search-engine-under-eu-law

**What happened:** The European Commission designated ChatGPT a Very Large Online Search Engine under the Digital Services Act on 31 August 2026. Reddit and Roblox were designated Very Large Online Platforms the same day.

**The numbers:** OpenAI reported about 159.1 million average monthly active recipients of ChatGPT search in the EU for the six months to 31 March 2026, well above the 45 million threshold that triggers the tougher rules. The Commission has now designated 28 very large platforms and search engines in total.

**Why it matters:** This is the first time a standalone AI chatbot has been placed in the same regulatory bracket as Google Search and Microsoft Bing. The Commission said "ChatGPT is a hybrid service that qualifies as an online search engine under the DSA."

**The catch:** OpenAI has four months, until the end of December 2026, to comply. Requirements include assessing and reducing systemic risks around illegal content, elections, fundamental rights and minors, giving researchers data access, explaining how ranking works, offering a non-personalised option, banning ad targeting of minors or on sensitive traits, and running annual independent risk audits.

**The context:** The designation lands as the EU AI Act's transparency rules also became enforceable in August. Reports suggest EU rules are part of why OpenAI and Meta are holding back some AI agents from Europe.

**What's next:** Non-compliance can bring fines of up to 6% of OpenAI's global annual revenue, putting pressure on the company to meet the December deadline.

Sources: [European Commission](https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/news/commission-designates-chatgpt-reddit-roblox-under-digital-services-act), [Search Engine Journal](https://www.searchenginejournal.com/chatgpt-is-now-a-very-large-online-search-engine-in-the-eu/587801/)

## Key takeaways

- ChatGPT now regulated like Google Search under the DSA
- OpenAI reported 159.1m average monthly EU users
- Compliance deadline is end of December 2026, fines up to 6% revenue

## Sources

- [Commission designates ChatGPT, Reddit, Roblox under Digital Services Act](https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/news/commission-designates-chatgpt-reddit-roblox-under-digital-services-act) — European Commission, 2026-08-31
- [ChatGPT Is Now A "Very Large Online Search Engine" In The EU](https://www.searchenginejournal.com/chatgpt-is-now-a-very-large-online-search-engine-in-the-eu/587801/) — Search Engine Journal, 2026-09-01