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OpenAI says ChatGPT handles one-fifth of Google’s search volume
OpenAI says ChatGPT now handles search queries equal to about one-fifth of Google’s volume, suggesting that AI chat services are becoming a more substantial force in online search. The figure signals growing competition, though Google remains much larger and the comparison does not show that ChatGPT is close to overtaking it.
Adam Fry, OpenAI’s consumer product lead, said the company counts a search when a query leads to a web search, excluding simple requests such as definitions or basic explanations. He did not identify the source of Google’s search-volume figure. The article places the claim amid Google’s expansion of AI search features and OpenAI’s push towards interactive responses and advertising, including sponsored product images.
In short
- ChatGPT search volume is about 20% of Google’s, according to OpenAI.
- OpenAI’s measure counts queries that trigger a web search.
- Both companies are developing AI features and advertising.
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The case for
The comparison suggests ChatGPT is becoming a meaningful search competitor, as users increasingly turn to conversational tools for answers and web results. If that growth continues, it could give people more ways to find and explore information and put pressure on established search providers to improve their services.
The case against
The figure is OpenAI’s own estimate, and the article says its source for Google’s volume is unclear, so the comparison is difficult to verify. It also counts only queries that lead to a web search and does not show that ChatGPT is close to matching Google’s overall scale or that users are abandoning traditional search.
Explained simply
Google is the dominant search engine, helping people find websites and information by entering queries. OpenAI makes ChatGPT, an AI service that answers questions in a conversation and can also search the web.
The comparison concerns queries that lead ChatGPT to search the web; it excludes simple requests such as definitions. ChatGPT and Google may count searches differently, and the source of Google’s figure was not identified, so the numbers do not provide a direct measure of how often people use each service.
The comparison matters because both companies are adding AI features to online search, where advertising is also important. It offers a sign of competition between the services, while Google remains substantially larger by the figures cited.
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Originally published by The Verge as “OpenAI says ChatGPT is catching up to Google in search”.