Google may have a ChatGPT problem as users are subtly adopting AI-powered tools as their go-to search engines — but it could be eons before it becomes an actual threat

Google may have a ChatGPT problem as  users are subtly adopting AI-powered tools as their go-to search engines — but it could be eons before it becomes an actual threat

What you need to know

  • ChatGPT is increasingly becoming a popular search tool among users.
  • A new study shows 8% (up 1% from the previous month) of poll participants use ChatGPT as their default search tool.
  • Google was recently deemed a monopoly in search and is now awaiting regulation.

As someone who has been navigating the digital world since the days of dial-up internet and AOL CD-ROMs, I must admit that the rise of AI search tools like ChatGPT is nothing short of fascinating. The sheer speed at which it’s gaining popularity among users is reminiscent of the initial excitement surrounding Napster in the early 2000s.


The growing popularity of AI tools such as ChatGPT and SearchGPT from OpenAI could potentially challenge Google’s stronghold in the search market. As users increasingly lean on artificial intelligence for their search requirements, this development follows the court decision in August that classified Google as a monopoly in search.

It appears that the way things are shaping up in the search world is gradually deviating subtly. Previously Google Engineer Arvind Jain has cautioned that the AI evolution is significantly altering the way people engage with the internet and search, and moreover, he asserted that Google had more significant concerns regarding AI search tools than addressing its antitrust allegations or pending regulations.

According to Evercore’s recent study, approximately 8% of participants listed ChatGPT as their preferred search engine (as reported by The Motley Fool). Although Google still dominates the search market significantly, the number of users relying on ChatGPT for searches has increased by a notable 1% within a single month.

Google’s share of the market has decreased from 80% to 74%. This could suggest that Google’s overwhelming influence in search is starting to wane as people look for different search options. It’s important to note that this data comes from a study conducted among 1,300 American participants.

For a more conversational rephrasing: Last month, Google suffered a notable drop in market share, but it still reigns supreme in this field and seems poised to stay on top for quite some time. Additionally, Google is actively exploring the world of artificial intelligence and has already incorporated it into various aspects of its technology infrastructure.

Despite the initial hype, the journey hasn’t been straightforward, particularly concerning its Overviews AI function. This feature, intended to offer a summary of topics or queries from various sources such as the web, has occasionally produced incorrect responses to queries. For instance, it recommended users to consume glue and rocks. Google addressed this issue by implementing a fix, attributing the problem to a data gap combined with manipulated screenshots aimed at damaging its reputation.

ChatGPT is a real threat

Google may have a ChatGPT problem as  users are subtly adopting AI-powered tools as their go-to search engines — but it could be eons before it becomes an actual threat

It appears that today’s younger generation tends to favor artificial intelligence (AI) trends, with a large number of them regularly utilizing AI-driven tools such as ChatGPT instead of traditional search engines for their primary online searches.

Last month, ChatGPT surpassed 200 million daily active users. OpenAI attributed a majority of the success to GPT-4o’s launch. GPT-4o’s launch also contributed to ChatGPT’s “biggest spike ever” in revenue and downloads and its continued reign in mobile as Microsoft, Google, and Anthropic attempt to pick up the slack.

AI-powered tools encounter similar hurdles, one of which is concern that AI might become less intelligent, as up to 30% of AI projects could be abandoned by 2025 following their proof of concept. It’ll be fascinating to observe how the advancement of AI influences search in the future.

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2024-09-13 12:39