Hello friends,
My mentality is, and always has been, to make it as easy as possible for you to access the tools and websites you use the most. AI assistants like ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, and Gemini are now obviously essential.
There is a slight complexity with the latest technology, because each AI assistant (LLM) handles search differently (for now!). So, I'll walk you through the ideal setup on Best Homepage Ever to make sure you're incorporating both AI and/or Search properly to suit your needs.
Using the 'Search / Chat' hybrid bar
This guide will help you use the hybrid bar how you want to use it. Catered to what you use the most, and how much you prefer search or A.I.
In this example, click ENTER to submit to Google. Click the Claude assistant button to start a chat.
Using the Search/Chat Bar Effectively on Your Homepage
The search bar has two menus: the left dropdown (your default search or AI engine) and the right button (your AI assistant shortcut). Understanding when to use each will help you get the most out of your homepage.
Primary search / chat selection. Click ENTER to submit
Your A.I. Assistant - click button to submit.
You can hide the AI chat button if you don't need it
If you already use Perplexity, ChatGPT, or Grok as your default engine on the left, you may not need the AI assistant button on the right at all. You can hide it from the dropdown to keep the search bar clean. Of course, you can also keep it visible if you want quick access to a different AI service.
Use the AI button alongside traditional search
If you primarily use Google, Bing, or another search engine on the left, the AI assistant button on the right gives you a quick way to start an AI chat instead. Type your question, then click the AI button to send it to your preferred assistant.
Clicking ENTER always uses the primary (left) selection
After typing your search or question, pressing Enter always triggers whatever is selected in the left dropdown. The right AI button is only activated by clicking it directly.
AI results depend on your selection
While building this feature, I discovered that not all AI services work the same way when you try to link to them from a website. Some allow you to pass your question through the URL (which means your query gets pre-filled automatically), some don't.
I've tested all the major AI assistants to figure out which ones support URL parameters and which ones don't, so you can choose the best option for your needs.
| AI Service | Account Needed? | Usability | Auto-Runs Question? |
|---|---|---|---|
| ChatGPT | Yes | Auto-fills instantly | Just press Enter |
| Perplexity | No (optional) | Auto-runs instantly | Auto-runs instantly |
| Google Gemini | Yes (Google account) | Opens blank chat, manual paste | Click to run |
| Claude | Yes | Opens blank chat, manual paste | Click to run |
| Grok (xAI) | No | Auto-runs instantly | Auto-runs instantly |
Summary of using the AI Assistant on BHE
There is good news and bad news here. The good news is you can jump straight to any of these services with the click of the button. However, if you want to type your question first, ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Grok are the ones that will pre-fill your query automatically. Further, ChatGPT requires a quick "submit" click. The others will just open a blank chat window where you'll need to paste your question manually.
Expanded Visibility for Prompts
As more people use the search bar for AI prompts and detailed questions, I noticed that longer text would scroll off-screen, hiding the beginning of your question. Now, the search bar automatically expands to show your full text across multiple lines, so you can always see exactly what you're asking.
The search bar grows to fit your full question, keeping the AI assistant button centered.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I enable the AI assistant button on my search bar?
Open your homepage settings by clicking the gear icon, then toggle on "Show AI Assistant". This adds the AI button to the right side of your search bar. From there, click the dropdown arrow next to the button to choose your preferred assistant: ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Perplexity, or Grok.
Can I use a different AI for the button and the search bar?
Yes! The left dropdown and the right AI button are completely independent. For example, you could set Google as your default search engine on the left while using ChatGPT as your AI assistant on the right. Or set Perplexity on the left for quick AI answers via Enter, and keep Claude on the right button for longer conversations.
Doubling down on AI. and Grok for longer Chats
Which AI services can I use without creating an account?
Perplexity and Grok both work without any account. You can type a question and get an answer right away. ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini all require you to sign in before you can use them.