David
If you didn’t already know by now, Netflix is the world’s biggest subscription-based streaming service that offers thousands of television shows and movies that users can access and watch online from their preferred Wi-Fi/internet-enabled smartphone, smart TV, tablet, laptop or desktop computer.
They also have a mobile app that enables subscribers to watch some of their favourite content without having to be connected to the internet.
In April 2025, Netflix started trialling an OpenAI-powered search engine (the creator of ChatGPT) in some regions to make searching for something suitable to watch much easier, so let’s dive straight in and take a closer look at how this technology will change the content browsing experience.
Why is everybody talking about the new Netflix search engine?
Netflix is currently trying out a new AI-powered onsite search engine that is designed to help users find exactly what they’re looking for in as little time as possible. In other words, you can now enter far more specific searches, and the artificial intelligence should find more relevant content for you.
Users can even enter what type of mood they are in, and the OpenAI-powered search engine will recommend multiple options from the vast catalogue of TV shows, documentaries, movies, and so on.
It is currently being trialled in Australia and New Zealand, but only on certain devices, such as iOS smartphones. However, according to reports, the technology will soon be expanded to several other devices and regions, such as Netflix US.
The current tool typically lets you search for content by title, genre, or by entering actors’ and actresses’ names. This new search engine will let you type in various other words to bring even more relevant results, and the algorithm’s results are still largely based on your viewing history.
One of the key tools used in this new search engine is natural language, and it’s already receiving good feedback from users who already have access to the new technology.
Will the technology spread to iGaming search website engines?
Yes. Eventually, the iGaming sector has already started using this kind of technology to help players find more relevant games.
For example, if you have an account on the 10bet.co.za online games website and can’t think of what to play, you can start typing in words into the onsite search engine, and a list of relevant games will instantly pop up on the screen for you, which helps some players find what they’re looking for or find previously unexplored titles they didn’t know existed on that site.
Let’s just say that you enjoy playing online slots with the hugely popular Megaways game mechanic.
If you can’t seem to find the games by scrolling through the list online slot machines, which has hundreds of different titles to explore, you can simply click or tap on the magnifying glass icon that’s located to the left of the game navigation bar that features individual game sections, such Most Popular, New, Top Games, Trending Games, Pragmatic Play, and so on.
Simply type the word ‘Megaways’ into the search engine, and within seconds, an entire list of Megaways slots will appear on the screen for you. All you have to do now is click or tap on any of the thumbnails to play your chosen Megaways slots.
The top 5 suggestions that you might like to try in 2025 on the official 10Bet website are the following hit titles:
- Big Bass Bonanza Megaways
- Blockchain Megaways
- Buffalo King Untamed Megaways
- Tiki – Infinity Reels Megaways
- Piggy Riches Megaways
The game that you click or tap on will then load in just a matter of seconds.
How much is a Netflix subscription?
It all depends on where you live and which package you go for. For example, in South Africa, there are three Netflix subscription plans to choose from: Basic, Standard, and Premium. The Premium Plan will set you back R199 per month and allows up to four devices to stream content in full HD and UHD quality.
The Standard plan costs R139 p/m and allows you to watch on up to two devices in HD quality. The basic plan costs R99 p/m, but you can only stream on one device in SD quality.
Final thoughts
The new OpenAI-powered search engine in Netflix will soon be available in your region, but the exact dates of when it will be rolled out haven’t yet been announced.
While those who have used it have said that it helps find relevant content quicker than ever, others have suggested that Netflix spends more money on creating good/watchable content rather than spending money on technology like this because it doesn’t really enhance the user experience.
