OpenAI's ChatGPT is gaining ground in the online search market, with its search-like query volume now estimated at about one-fifth of the volume handled by Google, highlighting the growing role of artificial intelligence in how people find information online.
The figure was disclosed by Adam Fry, OpenAI's consumer product lead, during an interview with Alex Kantrowitz of the Big Technology newsletter.
Fry said ChatGPT's volume of search-related queries had reached roughly 20 per cent of Google's search activity, suggesting that an increasing number of users are turning to AI chatbots instead of relying solely on traditional search engines.
The development marks a significant milestone for OpenAI as it seeks to expand ChatGPT beyond a conversational tool into a platform for everyday information searches.
ChatGPT has become increasingly popular among people looking for quick explanations, answers to questions, summaries and assistance with different tasks. Unlike conventional search engines, which provide lists of links for users to explore, the chatbot generates responses in conversational language based on the prompts it receives.
The growing use of AI for information searches is also reflected in research by the Pew Research Center. A survey released earlier in 2026 found that searching for information was the most common reason Americans used AI chatbots, with 42 per cent of adults surveyed saying they had used the technology for that purpose.
The survey also found that 38 per cent of employed adults had used AI tools for work-related tasks, making workplace assistance another major application.
Although the research covered AI chatbots generally rather than ChatGPT alone, the OpenAI platform emerged as the most widely used service among respondents. About 44 per cent of American adults surveyed said they had used ChatGPT, compared with 24 per cent who reported using Google's Gemini.
OpenAI has also reported that ChatGPT has approximately 1.2 billion weekly users, although the company has not disclosed how many of them use the platform specifically for information searches rather than activities such as coding, writing or image generation.
The figures come at a time when Google continues to dominate the traditional search industry. The company has previously said its search engine processes about five trillion searches annually, maintaining its position as one of the most widely used online services worldwide.
However, the growing popularity of AI-powered search has raised questions about whether traditional search engines are losing some of their appeal.
For years, some internet users have complained that Google search results have become increasingly difficult to navigate, with pages filled with sponsored content and websites designed primarily to attract traffic through search engine optimisation.
In some cases, users began adding the word "Reddit" to their searches to find discussions and recommendations from real people rather than relying on websites that appeared at the top of search results.
This trend helped drive traffic to Reddit, although the platform has more recently reported a decline in referrals from Google, partly linked to the introduction of AI-generated summaries in search results.
ChatGPT has offered users another way to access information by providing direct responses instead of requiring them to browse through multiple links. This has attracted people who prefer conversational answers and explanations tailored to their questions.
Google has also acknowledged the growing influence of AI chatbots. Alphabet Chief Executive Sundar Pichai previously argued that the expansion of AI services did not necessarily mean traditional search activity would decline, maintaining that the growth of new digital platforms could coexist with established services.
Despite the growing interest in AI-powered searches, questions remain about the reliability of information generated by chatbots. AI systems can produce inaccurate answers, omit important context or present false information confidently, making independent verification necessary, particularly when dealing with important decisions.
The latest figures therefore highlight both the opportunities and challenges facing the search industry as companies compete to shape the future of online information access.
While Google retains a substantial lead in overall search activity, ChatGPT's reported query volume suggests that AI is becoming an increasingly important alternative for people seeking information.
The competition is likely to push both companies to improve how users access information, with accuracy, relevance, speed and trust expected to remain central to the future of online search.
