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Key Takeaways Google controls around 90% of global search and is delivering its fastest revenue growth since 2022.
Still, alternative search tools and AI chatbots are beginning to draw users away.
Platforms like DuckDuckGo and Bing are seeing surging installs and user growth, while users tap into ChatGPT and other AI chatbots as primary tools for finding information.
The AI era is challenging Google’s long-standing control over the web.
Nearly four years into the generative AI boom, Google has proven wrong those who predicted that ChatGPT would replace its search engine. But now, early signs of weakness are starting to appear in its business.
CNBC recently reported that alternative search platforms are gaining traction. For example, DuckDuckGo downloads are rising by as much as 40% weekly, and Microsoft’s Bing surpassed one billion users last quarter. Meanwhile, Google’s search traffic has dipped slightly in recent weeks while ChatGPT use continues to climb.
Google still dominates search with about 90% market share, according to StatCounter. The company’s stock has surged over the past year, and its latest quarterly results showed the fastest revenue growth since 2022.
Even so, concerns are growing as more users shift towards AI chatbots for information. ChatGPT remains the most downloaded free app on Apple’s iOS, while Anthropic’s Claude is also climbing the rankings.
At the same time, some users are moving away from AI-driven search and choosing simpler, non-AI options. A March Pew Research study found that about half of Americans feel “more concerned than excited” about AI in their daily lives. In response, DuckDuckGo introduced a “no-AI” search option earlier this month that lets users switch to a version of search without AI features.
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