AI Search Growth Fails to Dent Google’s Dominance as Users Rely on Both Platforms
September 11, 2025 – Despite the explosive growth of AI-powered search tools, new data from SimilarWeb reveals that Google maintains its stranglehold on the search market, with nearly all ChatGPT users continuing to use the traditional search giant.
Key Findings
The latest research, shared by SEO consultant Brodie Clark, shows a striking disparity in user behavior between the two platforms:
- 95.3% of ChatGPT users visited Google in August
- Only 14.3% of Google users visited ChatGPT during the same period
- ChatGPT recorded 5.8 billion visits compared to Google’s massive 83.8 billion visits
Search Habits Remain Unchanged
The data challenges assumptions that AI search tools are rapidly displacing traditional search engines. International SEO expert Aleyda Solis noted that “LLMs are expanding and evolving (not killing) search as a discovery/marketing channel.” 
Traditional search engine usage remains robust at 95%, according to data from Datos and SparkToro. Even heavy AI users continue cross-checking information with Google, suggesting complementary rather than competitive usage patterns.
Traffic Impact Varies Across Websites
While ChatGPT’s influence on web traffic varies significantly by site, Google continues to dominate referral traffic:
- Search Engine Land reported a 1,233.5% surge in ChatGPT referral traffic in August
- However, Google organic search still delivered 37 times more traffic than ChatGPT to the same site
- Some sites report declining ChatGPT referral traffic while Bing traffic increases
Industry Expert Analysis
“There’s no doubt that ChatGPT is continuing to grow at a rapid rate,” Clark observed. “This overlap data shows that while the growth continues, users keep returning to Google despite ChatGPT being a search alternative.”
The findings suggest that users are leveraging both platforms for different purposes rather than switching entirely from traditional search to AI-powered alternatives.
What This Means for Digital Marketers
The data reinforces that SEO professionals should:
- Continue prioritizing Google optimization as the primary traffic driver
- Monitor AI tool developments while maintaining focus on proven channels
- Check individual analytics as referral traffic patterns vary significantly between sites
- Consider AI search as complementary rather than replacement technology
Looking Ahead
As AI tools continue their rapid adoption, the search landscape appears to be evolving toward a multi-platform ecosystem rather than a complete disruption. Google’s position as the “traffic heavyweight” remains unchallenged, even as users increasingly incorporate AI tools into their information-gathering workflows.
The research suggests that rather than killing traditional search, AI technologies are expanding the overall search and discovery market, creating new opportunities for content creators and marketers across multiple platforms.
Based on SimilarWeb data analysis shared by Brodie Clark and Aleyda Solis. Data reflects August 2025 usage patterns.
