For years, Google Search has been the default gateway to information. But new data shows that the tide is shifting. According to a Higher Visibility survey of 1,500 U.S. users, AI tools like ChatGPT are rapidly gaining ground, while Google’s share of everyday searches is beginning to slip.
The survey highlights a dramatic change in how people are seeking information — and it’s reshaping the future of search, SEO, and digital marketing.
By the Numbers: A Changing Search Landscape
The survey findings reveal how quickly user behavior is evolving:
- Google’s share is falling. From 73% in February to 66.9% in August.
- ChatGPT use nearly tripled. From 4.1% to 12.5% of respondents.
- Daily AI tool use doubled. From 14% to 29% in just six months.
- Platform switching is up. 35% of users say they’ve changed how they search, up from 28% earlier this year.
- Local search disruption. Even in Google’s strongest area — local search — AI usage doubled to 10%.
Younger users are leading this shift, mixing TikTok, Instagram, and ChatGPT into their daily search habits.
Why This Matters for SEO & Marketing
This data confirms what many marketers have felt: AI is no longer a novelty; it’s a mainstream search tool.
For businesses and SEOs, the implications are clear:
- Search behavior is fractured. Users aren’t relying on just Google anymore — they’re diversifying.
- SEO alone isn’t enough. While Google optimization is still critical, visibility on AI platforms is becoming just as important.
- Local search is vulnerable. Google Maps and Business Profiles may no longer be the only path customers use to find local businesses.
In short: the search funnel is wider than Google, and strategies must evolve.
What is Arryn AI?
With AI tools reshaping search, businesses need a way to measure visibility beyond Google. That’s where Arryn AI comes in. Arryn AI is an AI-powered marketing intelligence platform built for the new search era. It helps businesses:
- Track visibility across AI search tools like ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Gemini.
- Monitor competitor mentions in AI-generated answers.
- Combine SEO + AI insights to uncover where opportunities are being won or lost.
- Provide clear, actionable recommendations for staying visible in a fractured search landscape.
If Google’s share is slipping, Arryn AI makes sure you don’t slip with it.
Stay Visible in the AI Search Era
The future of search won’t be owned by a single platform. Businesses that adapt now will gain an edge — those that don’t risk disappearing from the new AI-driven discovery journey. Arryn AI helps you track, adapt, and win in this evolving search ecosystem. Start with Arryn AI today →
Conclusion
Google isn’t going anywhere — but it’s no longer the only place people search. The latest survey confirms what’s becoming undeniable: AI tools are rapidly changing search habits, especially among younger users. For marketers, this isn’t a time to panic — it’s a time to prepare. By embracing platforms like Arryn AI, you can move beyond Google and stay visible wherever your customers are searching next.
