Are AI chatbots replacing search engines?
Spoiler alert: not yet.
Generative AI is transforming the way users search for, create, and consume content.
Tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, and Perplexity AI provide instant, personalized answers in natural language.
But does this mean that Google, Microsoft Bing, or Yandex are on their way out? Is SEO dead?
Quick answer: absolutely not. And the numbers make it crystal clear.
Web traffic: SEO is still alive, and search engines still rule the online game
A recent study by OneLittleWeb, using data from Semrush and aitools.xyz, analyzed traffic from the top 10 AI chatbots compared to the 10 most-used search engines by users, businesses, and marketers between April 2023 and March 2025.
The goal? To find out whether AI is replacing search engines as the go-to source for finding information.
And the results?
- AI chatbots generated over 55.2 billion visits between April 2024 and March 2025 — an 80.92% increase from the previous period.
- Meanwhile, traditional search engines (Google, Bing, Yahoo, etc.) pulled in a staggering 1.86 trillion visits during the same period — a modest drop of just 0.51% from the previous year.
- That means search engines drove almost 34 times more traffic than AI chatbots.
The numbers speak for themselves: in 2025, most internet users still turn to Google and other search engines to find information, get answers, explore products, or make buying decisions.
One standout exception? Yahoo — its search engine saw a sharp 22.5% decline in usage compared to the previous year.
Key AI and SEO trends you can’t ignore
Despite search engines like Google and Bing still being top-of-mind for online searches, the study reveals fascinating trends around AI’s rise and changing user behavior:
- ChatGPT, owned by OpenAI, was the most visited chatbot in the world, with 47.7 billion visits between April 2024 and March 2025.
- Other AI tools like Perplexity, Grok, Microsoft Copilot, DeepSeek, and Gemini saw a massive traffic growth in the past year.
- Google remains the global traffic leader, capturing over 87% of search engine traffic, ahead of other giants like Yandex, Bing, and Baidu.
- Despite AI’s growth, search engines remain the main source for discovering websites, products, and services.
These figures, drawn from Semrush — one of the most powerful tools in the SEO world (and yes, one I’ve been using at Noor Scoop for many years) — confirm what many suspected: AI is moving fast, but user behavior doesn’t shift overnight.
Trends among younger audiences: TikTok, the new “Google” (Search Engine) for Gen Z
Search behavior among younger users paints a very different picture.
According to data from marketing outlets like eMarketer and platforms like Adobe, over 40% of Americans used TikTok as a search engine in 2024.
And here’s the kicker: Nearly one in 10 Gen Z users in the US preferred TikTok over Google.
Why? TikTok delivers exactly what younger users want—bite-sized, authentic, and highly personalized video content. Quick answers, minimal effort, and content that feels real.
A few more eye-opening stats:
64% of Gen Z and 49% of millennials searched for information directly on TikTok.
The top search categories are: recipes, music, fashion, and DIY tips.
This confirms a new reality: SEO isn’t just about ranking on Google anymore.
If your goal is to attract, engage, and convert a younger audience, showing up on platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube isn’t optional—it’s essential.
Why are users still choosing search engines over AI in 2025?
Even as AI gains momentum, Google and traditional search engines remain the top choice.
Here are three major reasons why:
1. Clearer and more intent-driven searches (for now)
When someone heads to Google or Yandex, they usually have a clear purpose: compare prices, find a nearby store, read product reviews, or land on a specific website.
Chatbots, on the other hand, are still mostly used for general questions, quick help, or inspiration — useful for sure, but not always precise for high-intent searches.
2. Broader results and a big variety of reliable sources
Google gives you everything: blogs, news, images, videos, maps, and more — all within a few seconds and from different perspectives.
Chatbots often require super-specific prompts, and if you’re looking for links or source material, you usually have to ask—and double-check that the information provided is accurate.
With sensitive topics like health, finance, or legal advice, that extra layer of trust matters.
In time, things may change for AI, but nowadays, search engines win when it comes to trust and reliability.
3. SEO and web rankings are still important
Contrary to what some believe, SEO isn’t dead.
In fact, it remains one of the most powerful digital marketing strategies.
If your website is well-optimized, with valuable content and a strong user experience, you still have a great chance of ranking high and driving quality traffic.
Plus, here’s a bonus: even AI tools often pull from those same optimized websites.
That means SEO isn’t just for Google—it feeds the AI models, too.
Bottom line: keep optimizing your content for both search engines and chatbots.
They’re not mutually exclusive — they’re complementary.
What does this mean for digital marketing?
In short: SEO still matters!
Even as AI tools gain ground, search engines remain the top traffic source for millions of online businesses.
If your goal is to boost digital visibility in 2025, SEO should stay front and center in your strategy.
Proven SEO strategies that still deliver results today:
- Target long-tail and niche keywords that answer real questions.
- Create high-value content aligned with search intent.
- Focus on technical SEO: site speed, mobile optimization, and indexing.
- Build relevant backlinks from credible sources related to your niche.
- Use AI as a smart assistant to draft content or analyze keywords, but always with a human touch.
- Don’t forget about voice search SEO—thanks to Alexa, Siri, and Google Assistant, it’s becoming a bigger part of the SEO game.
Do you want more SEO insights? Follow Noor Scoop on Instagram for the latest 2025 trends.
AI + SEO: The winning combo
At the end of the day, it’s not a choice between SEO or AI — the smartest move is to blend both for a winning digital marketing strategy.
AI tools can help you:
- Generate content ideas faster.
- Draft product descriptions or base copy in seconds.
- Speed up writing or design workflows.
- Automate replies on your site, chatbot, or social media.
But your strategy should always be human-led, with a personal touch that differentiates your brand.
This isn’t just about generating pretty or fast content.
It’s about connecting with your audience, solving real problems, and building authority in your industry.
What about the future? Will chatbots replace Google?
All signs show AI becoming more integrated into tools like browsers, search engines, and apps (think Microsoft Bing with Copilot, Google with Gemini).
But for now, search engines remain the core of digital traffic.
Even though AI is evolving fast, it doesn’t seem likely to overtake Google or SEO in the near future.
What should you do?
Go hybrid. A strategy that combines SEO, AI, valuable content, and a strong user experience.
Because the future of digital marketing isn’t black or white. It’s all about integration, adaptation, and above all, having a smart strategy.
Final takeaway: Don’t bury SEO yet!
AI chatbots are powerful, and they’ll only keep getting better. But they haven’t replaced search engines as the go-to channel for online discovery and traffic.
The real secret? Don’t ditch traditional SEO. Instead, boost it with AI and social SEO strategies.
What exactly is AI-powered SEO?
AI SEO refers to using artificial intelligence tools to improve every stage of organic search optimization:
- Predictive analysis to spot trends before they blow up.
- Automated content creation—drafts, meta descriptions, FAQs—you name it.
- Semantic analysis that zeroes in on true search intent.
- Automated SEO audits that deliver data-driven recommendations.
- Smart keyword clustering to find untapped niches and opportunities.
- Continuous optimization is fueled by user behavior and algorithm updates.
Tools like SurferSEO, Frase.io, ChatGPT, Semrush AI, and others already bring these features to the table, helping SEO experts and marketers work faster, with better data, and a clearer focus.
So, if you want to stay visible in 2025:
Optimize your website using SEO best practices.
- Leverage AI to spot trends and speed up content creation.
- Adapt in real time—without giving up what’s already working.
Because the future of digital marketing isn’t “AI or SEO” — it’s AI + SEO.
