Similarweb’s latest analysis highlights a significant shift in the search engine landscape, with ChatGPT securing a commanding 80.1% share of the AI search market.
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Over the past six months, OpenAI’s advanced tool has consistently outperformed its rivals, while established search engines face dwindling usage as AI technologies redefine how users seek information online.
AI Search Market Share: Today’s Landscape
Current statistics emphasize ChatGPT’s robust presence in the AI search sector, showcasing its dominance over other players.
Current Distribution of AI Search Tools
An in-depth look at the latest figures reveals the standings of key competitors in the AI search market.
At present, ChatGPT holds an impressive 80.1% of the market, up from 77.6% just a month ago. DeepSeek trails behind with 6.5%, experiencing a slight decrease from 7.6% last month.
Google’s AI search tools have a marginal increase to 5.6%, while Perplexity and Grok have also seen minor declines, standing at 1.5% and 2.6% respectively.
These insights are part of Similarweb’s comprehensive “AI Global” report.
Traditional Search Engines Losing Ground
Established search platforms are experiencing a notable decline, struggling to maintain their previous growth trajectories.
Year-over-Year Performance Declines
Examining the annual changes provides a clear picture of the challenges traditional search engines are facing.
Google has seen a 2% decrease year-over-year, while Bing plummeted by 18% after a significant rise of 18% in January. Yahoo and DuckDuckGo have dropped by 11% and 6% respectively, and Baidu has declined by 12%.
Overall, traditional search engines are registering a steady decline of 1% to 2% compared to the previous year, despite Google still maintaining a user base seven times larger than ChatGPT.
Fastest-Growing AI Categories
Beyond search, various AI segments are expanding rapidly, driving innovation and adoption across multiple fields.
High-Growth AI Sectors
The following categories have experienced significant growth, reflecting the evolving interests and needs of users.
DevOps and Code Completion have surged by 103% over the past 12 weeks, while General AI tools are up by 34%. Music Generation and Voice Generation have also seen increases of 12% and 8% respectively.
Conversely, areas like Writing and Content Generation have decreased by 12%, Customer Support by 11%, and Legal AI has dropped sharply by 70%.
Beyond Search: Impact on Other Industries
AI’s influence extends to various digital sectors, causing significant shifts in their performance and operations.
Industries Under Transformation
Several sectors are being reshaped by the rise of AI, leading to both declines and growth in different areas.
The EdTech industry has declined by 28% year-over-year, with platforms like Chegg and CourseHero down by 66% and 69% respectively. Website Builders and Freelance Platforms have also faced reductions of 13% and 19%.
On the other hand, Design platforms are thriving, showing a 10% increase, indicating that AI may be aiding these services rather than replacing them.
Adapting to the Changing Search Landscape
The evolving dynamics between AI-driven and traditional search methods require marketers to adjust their strategies accordingly.
Strategies for Success
To remain effective, marketers must integrate new AI-based approaches while retaining proven traditional techniques.
While traditional SEO remains relevant, the declining traffic from classic search engines necessitates diversification. Similarweb’s data indicates that ChatGPT’s dominant position is altering how users discover information.
Therefore, search marketers should adopt a hybrid strategy that incorporates AI-driven search optimization alongside established practices to achieve sustained success in the increasingly AI-centric digital environment.
The Bottom Line
The data underscores a pivotal transformation in the search engine landscape, with ChatGPT at the forefront of AI-driven search.
Traditional search engines are facing a steady decline, highlighting the need for marketers to evolve their strategies.
Embracing AI search tools while maintaining effective traditional SEO practices will be essential for navigating the changing dynamics and achieving success in the digital world of 2025 and beyond.
