95.3% of all ChatGPT users still depend on Google for their answers: Report

Despite the meteoric rise of AI-powered tools like ChatGPT, new data reveals that Google’s position as the internet’s primary gateway remains virtually unchallenged.

A recent analysis shows that while AI search is growing, it currently acts more as a supplement to, rather than a replacement for, traditional search, with the vast majority of AI users still relying on Google.

According to August data from the web analytics firm Similarweb, the user overlap between the two platforms tells a compelling story.

A staggering 95.3% of ChatGPT users also visited Google, indicating a continued dependence on the search giant for verification or additional queries.

In stark contrast, only 14.3% of Google’s user base visited ChatGPT, highlighting the AI tool’s current niche status relative to Google’s universal reach.

The sheer scale of traffic further illustrates Google’s dominance. In August, Google registered 83.8 billion visits, dwarfing ChatGPT’s 5.8 billion.

This trend is supported by broader industry studies, including one from Nielsen Norman Group, which found that even heavy AI users frequently cross-check information with Google, reinforcing its role as the default source of information.

From a website referral perspective, the picture is more nuanced but ultimately affirms Google’s top position. While some reports suggest ChatGPT’s referral traffic is declining, publications like Search Engine Land have seen it surge, growing over 1,200% in August and outperforming Bing.

However, this growth is relative. For the same publication, organic traffic from Google was 37 times greater than that from ChatGPT, underscoring the massive gap that AI tools need to close.

Experts suggest this data indicates an evolution, not a revolution, in user behavior. As SEO consultant Brodie Clark noted, “users keep returning to Google despite ChatGPT being a Search alternative.”

The consensus is that AI is not killing traditional search but rather expanding the ecosystem. As international SEO expert Aleyda Solis puts it, these AI models are “expanding and evolving… search as a discovery/marketing channel.”

For now, Google remains the undisputed heavyweight, with AI serving as a powerful new contender in its undercard. However, it is worth noting that even Google is using AI as part of AI Overviews and AI Mode, so it will be interesting to see data about people visiting different sites from Google.