With the rapid emergence of generative AI chatbots, you may be wondering which one is best for your needs.
With the recent release of Google Bard, we decided to test it with ChatGPT, Bing, and Claude to see prompt responses for search engine optimization, website coding, content generation, productivity tools, news, and social media.
Specifically, we used the following versions of each AI chatbot for the upcoming examples.
OpenAI’s ChatGPT with GPT-4 with a Plus subscription for $20 per month. Bing AI powered by GPT-4 in the Microsoft Edge Dev desktop browser. The first/experimental version of Google Bard in Google Chrome desktop browser. Claude+, ChatGPT’s ethical rival, on Poe in a desktop browser with a $20 monthly premium subscription.
Now let’s look at some prompts marketers might use and the responses they might get from each of these chatbots to see which one is the best.
Prompt #1: “What is SEO?”
The first prompt is a simple question – what is SEO? You may get the following responses from ChatGPT, Bing (more balanced), Bard, and Claude+.
ChatGPT defined purely SEO – Search Engine Optimization – followed by its purpose and key aspects of the process. No sources given as training data is used from articles, blog posts, books and websites from September 2021 or earlier.
Screenshot of ChatGPT, March 2023
Bing AI Chat provided a shorter response with multiple sources and three additional prompt suggestions to learn more about SEO.
Screenshot from Bing, March 2023
Google Bard gave us three answers to choose from via the “Drafts” drop-down menu. The first answer provided no sources. The second (see below) and third answers were based on different sources.
Screenshot of Bard, March 2023
Claude+ provided a detailed answer with what appeared to be internal links.
Screenshot by Poe, March 2023
If you click on one of the links, Claude will be asked to give you another answer.
Screenshot by Poe, March 2023 Prompt #2: “How can I get quality backlinks for my website?”
Next we asked how to get quality backlinks for a website.
ChatGPT listed link building techniques that were heavily promoted in 2021.
Screenshot of ChatGPT, March 2023
Bing AI offered five suggestions with sources, e.g. B. Using tools like Ahrefs and Semrush to research competitor backlinks.
Screenshot from Bing, March 2023
Google Bard gave three different answers to the question but no sources. Bard’s suggestions included blog comments, forum posts, and directory listings, as shown in this third draft.
Screenshot of Bard, March 2023
Claude+ offered many suggestions, including private blog networks and Yahoo Answers, which no longer exist.
Screenshot of Poe, March 2023 Screenshot of Poe, March 2023 Prompt #3: “Can you give me the HTML to create a one-page portfolio website?”
Can Generative AI Chatbots Code a Simple Website?
ChatGPT provided HTML and CSS that could be copied and pasted.
Screenshot of ChatGPT, March 2023
Using the W3Schools TryIt Editor, we proved that the code creates a working web page.
Screenshot from W3Schools, March 2023
Bing AI also provided code, but only the HTML part.
Screenshot from Bing, March 2023
The result was less impressive than ChatGPT’s version, but it still works.
Screenshot from W3Schools, March 2023
Google Bard gave three different versions of its one-page website code to choose from, each of which is just HTML, like Bing’s. The first option is shown below.
Screenshot of Bard, March 2023
All three worked in the TryIt Editor.
Screenshot from W3Schools, March 2023
Claude+ offered HTML and CSS in his answer, but the format wasn’t as clean as ChatGPT, Bing, or Bard.
Screenshot by Poe, March 2023
The result also pointed to Poe’s API key, which appears on the test webpage.
Screenshot from Poe, March 2023 Prompt #4: “What’s the top news on TikTok this week?”
Can Generative AI Chatbots Break You News?
Of course, ChatGPT couldn’t search the web (yet) and has no data after 2021. But it does offer suggestions on how to find messages.
Screenshot of ChatGPT, March 2023
Bing AI responded with a few stories with links to each.
Screenshot from Bing, March 2023
Google Bard provides three versions of current TikTok news digests but no sources. This was the first draft.
Screenshot of Bard, March 2023
Claude+ shared several messages, but they’re not from the week asking about the prompt.
Screenshot by Poe, March 2023 Prompt #5: “Who should I follow on Twitter to learn more about AI and LLMs?”
Want to find influencers in your niche or professionals to follow to learn more about a specific topic?
ChatGPT made suggestions based on its training data through 2021. One account on the list was banned, but the rest were active.
Screenshot of ChatGPT, March 2023
Bing AI offered the shortest list. While there were links, the links pointed to the source of the information rather than the actual Twitter accounts.
Screenshot from Bing, March 2023
Google Bard offered three lists of suggestions. Unfortunately, some suggestions didn’t include usernames or had nothing to do with AI.
Screenshot of Bard, March 2023
Claude+ made the longest list, but some accounts didn’t match the descriptions in his answer.
Screenshot by Poe, March 2023 Prompt #6: “What are the best tools to increase productivity in an organization that participates in a four-day workweek?”
Are you looking for new tools to increase your productivity? Depending on the context of the question, it’s unclear which generative AI chatbot can offer you what you’re looking for.
ChatGPT provided organizations with 15 productivity-boosting tools across five categories.
Screenshot of ChatGPT, March 2023
Bing AI offered a list of simple tips and two tools.
Screenshot from Bing, March 2023
Google Bard listed the types of tools you would need in the first draft and suggested specific tools in the other two drafts. Shown below is the second draft.
Screenshot of Bard, March 2023
Claude+ gave a lengthy answer but only suggests three specific tools.
Screenshot of Poe, March 2023 Prompt #7: “Write a 2,000-word blog post about using Slack”
Need inspiration for your content strategy? AI chatbots can help get you started in the right direction.
It is important to note that AI generated content is not unique. Large Language Models (LLMs) are trained on large amounts of data, including content published on the Internet. Using AI-generated content in its unmodified form can lead to allegations of plagiarism.
Another problem is inaccurate information from AI responses. If you publish content directly from an AI chatbot without verification, you could inadvertently spread misinformation to your audience.
Google expects all content – including AI-generated content – to be valuable to search users and to be EEAT quality.
It’s in your best interest to use AI generated content as inspiration to create unique content with verified facts and your perspective.
ChatGPT was initially delivering 1,008 words after being asked to continue please when it stopped midway. When asked to write more to bring it to 2,000 words, it added another 1,068 words.
Screenshot of ChatGPT, March 2023
Bing AI refused to write a blog post but offered starting points.
Screenshot from Bing, March 2023
Google Bard designed three posts, only one of which was properly formatted. The highest word count in a single draft was 760. When asked to write more to reach 2,000 words, he made suggestions for additional topics to write about related to Slack.
Screenshot of Bard, March 2023
Claude+ wrote 627 words. When asked to write more to hit 2,000 words, he rewrote the same post to 569 words.
Screenshot by Poe, March 2023 Prompt #8: “What do AI chatbots do best?”
Finally, here’s what each Generative AI chatbot think they do best.
ChatGPT provided a detailed but humble version of its capabilities.
Screenshot of ChatGPT, March 2023
Bing AI offered a short and sweet answer.
Screenshot from Bing, March 2023
Google Bard’s responses appear to be similar to ChatGPT’s.
Screenshot of Bard, March 2023
As usual, Claude+ provided the most detailed answer with advanced features.
Screenshot of Poe, March 2023 Screenshot of Poe, March 2023 ChatGPT provides the best answers
AI chatbots can already take on a wide variety of tasks today. With time and refinement, each has the potential to make employees more productive and able to produce higher quality results.
Each AI chatbot has its unique advantages.
ChatGPT provides the best answers for prompts that don’t require dates later than 2021. This limitation may no longer matter once ChatGPT plugins are rolled out to all users. Bing AI almost always provides sources for its answers, making it easier to fact-check or get more information. Google Bard has three drafts of his answers and an occasional source. Claude+ uses links in its replies to help users learn more about a topic.
Unfortunately, all generative AI chatbots can offer outdated or incorrect information. It is up to users to take the information they receive and verify that it is the best possible information before using it in an application.
Featured image: Rokas Tenys/Shutterstock
