Did you know that nearly 60% of all searches now end in zero clicks? Or are 10 billion images searched monthly using Google Lens? And by 2027, over 90 million people in the U.S. alone will be using generative AI as their primary tool for search.
So, what does this mean? Is SEO dead? It’s time to think beyond Google and explore how you can start ranking on SearchGPT.
AI-driven search engines like SearchGPT and ChatGPT are changing the way people discover information online. Unlike traditional search engines, they don’t just index web pages. They generate unique, conversational answers in real-time, drawing from an ever-evolving pool of content.
And this shift is happening super fast.
If your currentSEO strategyis focused solely on Google, you’re missing out on a huge opportunity. Ranking on these AI search platforms requires a completely different approach, one that focuses on delivering precise, highly relevant answers, not just keyword-stuffed content.
In this blog, we’re going to show you why AI search engines are more important than ever and how you can start adapting your content strategy to rank effectively on platforms like SearchGPT.
Introduction to SearchGPT
Before we get into the details of how you can rank on SearchGPT, let’s go back to the beginning. It all started on October 31st when OpenAI launched a new era of search. They introduced ChatGPT Search, which many now call SearchGPT, and that’s when everything truly began.
Early Reactions and Market Overview
From there, everyone started talking about how huge and amazing it was going to be. But, OpenAI wasn’t the first to experiment with AI-driven search. We already have AI overviews in Google, Perplexity, u.com, Microsoft Copilot, and many others.
To give you an idea, Perplexity AI generates over 50 million monthly visits. While that’s nowhere near as popular as ChatGPT, SearchGPT is probably getting more usage than perplexity. It shows AI search’s growing impact. Google AI overviews, which have been around for a while, are also rolling out to more and more countries.
Impact on SEO
So you’re probably wondering how all this has impacted SEO. We’re familiar with algorithm updates, but the biggest shift AI is bringing is in visual and voice search.
Take visual search, for instance. Google Lens processes over 10 billion uses per month! And then there’s voice search, which is becoming more popular, especially among younger generations who use devices like Alexa and Siri.
Voice search is growing more and more popular. You are probably thinking, “Oh yeah, some people are starting to use it,” but if you have young kids, what you’ll find is that their first interaction with search is through voice, with devices like Alexa and YouTube voice search. On the flip side, all of us learned to search through typing, and these young kids, who are going to be the future, are used to using voice first. Voice is changing at a very rapid pace.
Apple has integrated OpenAI into its Siri, and Amazon is working with Anthropic, so we can expect more AI-powered voice searches in the future.
The Future of Search: Voice, Visual, and Zero-Click Searches
With these advancements, you’ll start seeing more shifts in trends regarding what people are searching for and how they’re searching. Much of it will shift toward voice and visual search, which will become the predominant ways people search in the future.
Search is becoming less about traditional blue links. Those 10 blue links on Google’s results page are becoming the new ‘Page 2’ where no one goes!
People are increasingly expecting their search questions to be answered immediately above the fold with whatever is shown, whether it’s an AI overview or “People Also Asked” sections. They want their answers right then and there, not for all searches, but for a good chunk of them.
According toSparkToro, nearly 60% of searches now end in zero clicks, meaning users get their answers without clicking on any results.
Is Google Still Driving Traffic?
Despite this shift, Google is still driving more traffic to websites every year; as Danny Sullivan from Google has said, “Google has consistently driven more traffic each and every single year to websites organically since its existence, so even though Google may not be driving as many clicks percentage wise the total number is increasing because people are using it more and more.”
It’s growing in popularity compared to what it was 20 years ago, right? I’m not talking about month over month; I’m talking about 15–20 years ago. Google wasn’t as popular as it is today.
The Shift from Traditional Search to Multiplatform Search
So, are people just using Google for search?
No, not necessarily. In 2020, NP Digital surveyed 5,000 people, and again in 2024, with over 11,000 people, asking them, “How do they search for information?”. It turns out that people are no longer using search engines. They’re turning to social media, AI chatbots, and other platforms as well.
It’s similar to how people use multiple social media networks. According to Sprout Social, the average person uses more than six platforms. This trend is extending to search. You’re going to see more and more of this over time, where people use multiple platforms for search, similar to how they use multiple platforms for social media.
Is SEO Still Worth Investing In?
Absolutely.NP Digitalrecently analyzed the ROI of SEO for both new and established websites, and the results were clear: SEO still offers a significant return on investment. Whether people think SEO is dead or not, there’s still plenty of money to be made.
And if you’re not investing in SEO, this is the right time to start before others collect all the money you’re leaving on the table.Book a free SEO session with us now!
We can help you rank not only on Google but inside SearchGPT as well!
Search Platforms Beyond Google
When you think of search engines, Google dominates with an 83.54% market share. However, in the broader search landscape, Google represents only about 18% of all searches, roughly 45.1 billion searches. Even Amazon processes 3.5 billion searches daily, and Instagram sees 6.5 billion searches.
But when you’re just looking at pure traditional search engines, or what most people consider “search,” Google is still the dominant player. However, when you look at their overall traffic from organic search, it’s not the highest.
This is not where they get the majority of their traffic. Google’s traffic primarily comes from people going directly to google.com, and that’s still pretty strong.
But, you know, when you think about non-Google searches, Bing is at the center of the non-Google universe. They’re taking up a large chunk of the market share, and people don’t realize this.
A lot of SearchGPT results are coming from Bing. That’s where they’re pulling data from when they don’t have a response.
So, Bing is actually more important than it used to be.
You really have to optimize for Bing as well if you want to perform well in ChatGPT search in today’s world.
The Future of Search: Search Everywhere Optimization
By 2026, traditional search engine volume is expected to drop by roughly 25%, according to Gartner.
Does this mean the search is dying?
No, it’s just changing to what we call Search Everywhere Optimization, where people are using multiple platforms, like social media and AI, to search for information.
By 2027, over 90 million people in the US alone will be using generative AI as their primary tool for online search. This is why everyone needs to start focusing today on optimizing their sites and their content, not just for Google but for a variety of platforms.
Conclusion
The future of search is changing fast, with AI-driven platforms like SearchGPT leading the way. With voice, visual, and zero-click searches on the rise, it’s clear that SEO needs to go beyond traditional Google strategies.
To stay ahead of the curve, make sure you’re optimizing for multiple platforms and getting on board with Search Everywhere Optimization today. The world of search is becoming more dynamic, and making these shifts now will put you in a great position for the future.
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Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is SearchGPT, and how does it differ from traditional search engines?
SearchGPT is an AI-driven search engine that generates conversational, real-time answers rather than displaying indexed web pages like traditional search engines. It leverages AI to provide more relevant and personalized results.
2. How does AI-powered search impact SEO strategies?
AI search engines like SearchGPT and ChatGPT prioritize delivering precise, highly relevant answers over keyword-stuffed content. To rank on these platforms, content must be optimized for clarity and relevance, not just keywords.
3. What role do voice and visual search play in the future of SEO?
Voice and visual searches are gaining popularity, especially among younger users. SEO strategies must now include optimizing content for voice-activated assistants like Siri and visual search tools like Google Lens to stay competitive.
4. Are zero-click searches reducing traffic to websites?
While zero-click searches (where users find answers directly on the search results page) are increasing, Google is still driving more traffic to websites overall. However, the way users interact with search results is evolving.
5. Is SEO still relevant in the age of AI-driven search?
Yes, SEO remains relevant and continues to offer a significant return on investment. Adapting SEO strategies to AI-driven search platforms is crucial for future success.
6. Should I focus only on Google for SEO or consider other platforms?
To maximize visibility, it’s important to optimize for multiple platforms, including AI search engines, social media, and traditional search engines. Users are increasingly using a combination of these platforms to find information.
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