Since the launch of AI platforms like ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Claude, some have predicted that this is the end of Google. What truths do we know at this point to back this up, and is the end really near, or still more of a concept than anything else? What does this projection mean for businesses that rely on search traffic for online customers or leads?
Here’s what the latest data tells us.
AI Search is Growing, but Google’s Still Where People Convert
Some tools, such as ChatGPT, have seen double-digit growth since their inception. The catch is that while the percentage of growth is enormous, the number of AI platform users is tiny in comparison to those using Google. In August of this year, according to Similarweb, ChatGPT had 5.8 billion visits globally, compared to Google’s 83.8 billion visits. Recent data indicate that the growth of AI Search is slowing in 2025, with no month showing more than 1.1X growth since September 2024.
What does this mean for businesses?
AI adoption is increasing rapidly; nearly 40% of Americans now use AI tools at least once a month. However, Google still dominates: 95% of Americans search on Google every month.
Adding to Google’s search volume, a recent study by Semrush shows that ChatGPT users often end up doing more Google searches than they did previously, not fewer. Instead of “stealing” the searches of traditional search engines, AI tools seem to encourage curiosity and additional fact-checking, essentially expanding search.
Bottom line: For now and the foreseeable future, AI Chat is small, but growing. Google remains the foundation of how people find things online.
Pan Galactic Digital is a digital marketing agency based in St. Louis, Missouri, specializing in data-driven and lead- and sales-generating SEO and content strategies that consistently outperform industry benchmarks, delivering sustainable, long-term growth for our clients.