By Vicky Sidler | Published 14 August 2025 at 12:00 GMT

For a brief and mildly chaotic moment, your ChatGPT conversations could have been popping up in Google search results—like a stranger rummaging through your digital junk drawer.

If you had ever clicked the “share” button on a chat, created a link, and made it discoverable, congratulations—you were starring in a very niche corner of the internet without even knowing it.

This wasn’t ChatGPT exposing everyone’s chats by default. It was an experiment, since ended, that allowed deliberately shared conversations to be indexed by search engines. The problem? Most people didn’t realise “shared” could mean “Google-able.”

TL;DR

• Some deliberately shared ChatGPT chats were briefly indexed by Google

• This was part of a short-lived OpenAI experiment, now removed

• Even “harmless” chats can reveal personal or business details

• Treat anything shared online as potentially public—forever

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Table of Contents

What Actually Happened:

TechCrunch’s Amanda Silberling spotted that URLs ending in /share—generated when users clicked “share” in ChatGPT—were appearing in Google and Bing search results.

Some were harmless (bathroom renovation tips), some were awkward (failed job application rewrites), and some were flat-out bizarre (a microwave safety guide involving Satan).

OpenAI confirmed it was testing “ways to make it easier to share helpful conversations” and has since ended the experiment, citing “too many opportunities for folks to accidentally share things they didn’t intend to.”

Why This Matters to Small Business Owners:

Even if you’re not sharing AI-assisted bathroom plans, this matters for one reason: anything you post online, intentionally or not, can travel far beyond its intended audience.

That includes:

• Draft marketing copy with sensitive pricing

• Sales scripts with unfinalised offers

• Brainstorming notes that reveal product roadmaps

• Conversations that mention client names

You might think, “I only shared it with a link.” But as with public Google Drive files, “link sharing” can quickly turn into “search result sharing” if it’s indexed.

How to Stay Safe in a Search-Indexed World:

Even though OpenAI’s specific experiment is over, the principle holds: once it’s online, you can’t fully control where it goes. Here’s how to stay smart:

1. Don’t Share Sensitive Business Info in Public AI Links:

Treat AI chats like open-air cafes—fine for casual talk, not for confidential plans.

2. Use Local or Private Storage for Drafts:

If you need to share AI-generated content for review, save it as a PDF or screenshot, then send it via secure channels instead of public share links.

3. Check Your Digital Footprint Regularly:

Google your business name, unique phrases from your copy, and even unusual client project terms to see what’s out there.

4. Build a Public Profile You’re Happy to Be Found:

If people do stumble across your content, make sure it reflects well on you. This is where a clear brand message and consistent tone are your best insurance.

A Personal Example of Online Visibility

This situation reminded me of something that happened back when I was a full-time journalist at an online tech news publication.

One of my colleagues published a photo of me standing next to a giant TV to demonstrate its size. Harmless enough—until someone commented that I was “ugly” and that they should’ve used a more attractive model.

That comment ended up showing in Google search results for my name. I confronted the commenter, and to their credit, they apologised and removed it. It no longer appears when you search me, but that doesn’t erase the fact that it was out there for a while.

The experience stuck with me—not because my ego was bruised, but because it reminded me how quickly something you didn’t post yourself can shape your online presence.

The Marketing Lesson:

Your message is always on the record. Whether it’s a blog post, a shared doc, or a ChatGPT conversation, assume your audience is larger than you expect.

That’s why having a crystal-clear way to describe your business matters—so if you do show up unexpectedly in a search result, you’re not just visible, you’re compelling.

Start with the 5-Minute Marketing Fix:

It’s a simple, free tool that helps you create a one-liner explaining your business so well that even a surprise Google result works in your favor.

👉 Download it free

Because in marketing—and in AI experiments—you never know who’s watching.

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FAQ: ChatGPT Public Chats and Search Engine Indexing

Were all ChatGPT conversations made public?

No. Only chats that users deliberately shared, created a public link for, and marked as “discoverable” were indexed. This was part of an OpenAI experiment that has now ended.

How did these chats end up on Google?

Once a shared chat link was marked as discoverable, search engines like Google could index it—just like they can with public Google Drive links.

Is this still happening?

No. OpenAI ended the experiment after deciding it created “too many opportunities” for accidental oversharing.

Could personal or business details have been exposed?

Yes. Even seemingly harmless chats can include identifiers—like client names, pricing, or project details—that you wouldn’t want public.

Why should small business owners care?

Because anything you put online, intentionally or not, can spread beyond your control. That includes AI chats, documents, and casual posts.

How can I prevent this in future?

Treat all shared links as public, even if you think they’re private. Use secure channels for sensitive material and regularly search your business name to see what’s out there.

What’s the marketing takeaway?

Always assume your message could be seen by anyone. Make sure even “accidental” exposure reflects well on you.