Survey: ChatGPT and AI Tools Rise as Google Search Declines
▼ Summary
– Google’s share of general information searches fell from 73% to 66.9% between February and August, according to a survey of 1,500 U.S. users.
– ChatGPT usage nearly tripled from 4.1% to 12.5% of respondents during the same period, while daily AI tool use doubled from 14% to 29%.
– Platform switching increased, with 35% of users reporting changed search habits compared to 28% in February, particularly among younger users blending multiple platforms.
– In local search, traditionally dominated by Google, AI tool usage doubled to reach 10% of users.
– The findings indicate that SEO strategies must now account for visibility across multiple AI platforms, though Google Search remains critically important.
A notable shift is underway in how people find information online, with artificial intelligence tools like ChatGPT rapidly gaining popularity at the expense of traditional search engines. Recent research highlights a clear trend: users are increasingly turning to conversational AI for answers, reshaping the digital discovery process in real time.
According to a comprehensive survey, Google’s dominance in general information searches has slipped from 73% earlier this year to just under 67% by late summer. In that same period, usage of ChatGPT nearly tripled, jumping from 4.1% to 12.5% of respondents. Daily reliance on AI tools overall more than doubled, climbing from 14% to 29%, signaling a broader behavioral shift among internet users.
Platform switching is also on the rise, with 35% of those surveyed reporting they’ve altered their search habits since February. Younger audiences, in particular, are blending social platforms like TikTok and Instagram with AI-powered tools to find what they need, a hybrid approach that reflects a more fragmented but dynamic search landscape.
Even in local search, where Google has long been the default, AI adoption doubled to 10%, suggesting that no corner of search is immune to this transformation. The number of people who never use AI tools has fallen sharply, from 28% to 16%, underscoring how quickly these technologies are entering the mainstream.
For marketers and SEO professionals, these changes carry significant implications. User behavior is becoming more fractured, meaning strategies built solely around Google are no longer sufficient. While optimizing for traditional search remains essential, visibility must now extend across multiple AI platforms where conversations, not queries, often drive discovery.
The data comes from two identical surveys of 1,500 U.S. participants conducted several months apart, offering a consistent and validated look at evolving trends. As AI continues to integrate into daily life, its role in search is expanding, not replacing Google entirely, but certainly redefining what search looks like for millions.
(Source: Search Engine Land)
