ChatGPT overtaking Google?

A digital marketing expert has revealed that artificial intelligence has become firmly embedded in American consumer behavior, with over three-quarters of people now regularly using AI tools.

Joe Youngblood, founder of JoeYoungblood.com, told how ChatGPT has overtaken Google for certain types of searches, marking a dramatic shift in how consumers find information online.

His study found 75.16% of American consumers have used an AI system at least once in the past six months. This number represents a significant milestone in AI's integration into everyday consumer activities across the country.

"These numbers show a clear shift in how Americans are seeking information and making purchasing decisions," Youngblood said. "The fact that ChatGPT is now preferred over Google for certain types of searches signals a turning point in consumer behavior that brands need to recognize."

Daily AI usage is substantial, with 33.02% of Americans qualifying as "heavy AI users" who access AI tools at least once per day. ChatGPT dominates the landscape with 46.13% of Americans having used it in the past six months.

For product discovery, 26.32% of Americans now prefer ChatGPT over traditional search methods, edging out Google Search at 23.11%. When seeking general information, 27.54% of consumers prefer using ChatGPT, slightly ahead of Google Search at 26.24%.

"What surprised me most was seeing ChatGPT outperforming Google Search for product discovery," Youngblood added. "This suggests consumers are finding value in conversational AI for shopping research, which has major implications for e-commerce strategies."

According to a report from WBIW, the research highlights a contrast between usage and trust. While ChatGPT leads in adoption for several use cases, Google maintains a substantial lead in perceived quality.

Google Gemini secured some user attention with 22.76% of Americans having tried the platform. This puts Google's flagship AI offering at a significant disadvantage compared to ChatGPT's 46.13% usage rate.

Meta AI on Facebook follows as the second least-used major AI platform, with 19.29% of Americans reporting usage in the past six months. Google's AI Overviews received the least engagement among major AI platforms, with just 18.94% of Americans having used this feature.

For finding local businesses, traditional search habits persist, with just 21.89% of Americans preferring ChatGPT for this purpose. Google Search maintains its advantage in this category with 31.54% of consumers favoring it for local business discovery.

The study showed only 26.15% of Americans view ChatGPT as the highest quality brand, whereas Google maintains stronger brand credibility with 48.39% of Americans considering it the highest quality option.

The study also uncovered that 40.83% of Americans believe AI has improved their web searching experience. This positive reception suggests consumers are finding value in AI-enhanced search capabilities.

"Businesses that aren't monitoring how consumers use AI in their purchasing journeys are likely missing vital opportunities to connect with customers," Youngblood said. "The data shows AI isn't just a tech trend—it's become a primary gateway to information for millions of Americans."

One in three Americans now uses AI tools daily, showing these technologies have moved beyond novelty status to become a regular utility for many people.

The research conducted by Youngblood analyzed how American consumers are interacting with AI platforms, revealing significant shifts in information-seeking behaviors and brand preferences across the country.