Online discussion and debate have ramped up over whether ChatGPT is giving answers based on responses from Grokipedia.
With Elon Musk’s Grok frequently criticized for its inflammatory language and varying reliability, some critics have questioned whether Grokpedia should be considered an authoritative source.
As AI Search plays a larger role in SEO and AEO strategies, businesses aren’t just looking at what ChatGPT says, but how accurate the information is that is influencing a brand’s visibility online.
How Does ChatGPT Get Its Answers?
ChatGPT’s underlying model is more complex than a basic search engine. It doesn’t pull information from one database or scan sources like an encyclopedia in real time.
Instead, the LLMs are trained on enormous datasets drawn from publicly available sources and human input. ChatGPT and other LLMs undergo extensive training. During the training period, the AI model begins to learn language patterns from books, blog posts, and online forums.
After training, the responses may be polished based on human feedback. In a process known as reinforcement learning, people rank responses they find more helpful, relevant, and safe. This feedback doesn’t directly change responses, but it may affect how ChatGPT phrases its responses.
Why Is Grok Being Mentioned on GPT-5.2?
Search has changed rapidly over the past few years, and the way users find information has evolved with it. AI search loves answers, and LLMs often favor content that is concise and conversational.
As AI search becomes more prevalent, newer models may reference popular platforms and terms seen frequently online. Because Grokipedia has received a lot of attention recently, ChatGPT may appear to reference it in responses, even if it’s not citing information from it.
Grok is likely being cited on GPT-5.2 because, as an OpenAI representative has said, ChatGPT “aims to draw from a broad range of publicly available sources and viewpoints.” When a platform like Grok positions itself as an alternative to mainstream views, its visibility in online discussions may increase.
Other AI tools have mentioned Grokipedia, too.
Is there some agreement between @AnthropicAI and @grok on search now?
— Jeremy Howard (@jeremyphoward) November 30, 2025
The Anthropic API today for me started citing Grokipedia sources when using its search tool, even although Wikipedia results are higher in search engines for these queries. pic.twitter.com/6skoCXVmJI
For now, these references seem to speak to Grok’s visibility more than a fundamental change in how AI models gather information.
The Potential Impact of Grokipedia on ChatGPT
Regardless of whether ChatGPT is actually gathering information from Grok, the mention of it alone has raised some eyebrows. As AI-generated search becomes more popular, sources will face greater scrutiny from individuals, brands, and journalists.
Because LLMs can occasionally make false claims known as hallucinations, ChatGPT citing another AI-generated response can make some experts worry.
As more businesses rely on AI, credible sources will become more important. As AI answers influence the public understanding of many different subjects, citing trustworthy sources will become a necessity.
Why This Story Matters
In a crowded GEO landscape, the answers that stand out are delivered clearly and concisely. Search results are becoming more conversational, preferring language that feels natural and readable.
Chatbots like Grok are skilled at crafting human-like answers, which is why we have seen more ChatGPT responses citing other platforms. Brands now compete not only with other brands but also with AI-generated answers. Strategic marketing partnerships can play an important role in how brands are represented and ranked on AI-driven search platforms.
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