Google has dominated the search engine space for decades, but AI advancements are shaking things up. With SearchGPT gaining traction, many wonder: Could it actually surpass Google?
When ChatGPT launched, people declared the death of Google and SEO. But because ChatGPT lacks the ability to crawl and index the web in real time, it couldn’t compete. Now, with SearchGPT in the mix, the debate is heating up.
AI-powered chatbots are changing how we interact with information, but replacing the world’s largest search engine isn’t as simple as it sounds.
Is SearchGPT Going to Replace Google?
Short answer? No, not anytime soon.
Google’s search algorithm is backed by decades of data, indexing trillions of pages and ranking results based on authority and user behavior.
ChatGPT, on the other hand, provides direct, conversational responses but lacks real-time indexing and authoritative source prioritization. Even OpenAI admits that ChatGPT can make mistakes.
A Columbia Journalism Review study compared eight AI search engines and found that all of them struggled with citing news sources. Journalists Klaudia Jaźwińska and Aisvarya Chandrasekar noted:
"Chatbots were generally bad at declining to answer questions they couldn’t answer accurately, offering incorrect or speculative answers instead."
These bots even provided responses based on sites that explicitly blocked their crawlers. That’s a major red flag.
SearchGPT vs. Google: Strengths and Weaknesses
Right now, ChatGPT and Google serve different purposes. Google is an information-retrieval system; ChatGPT is a conversational AI built to generate responses.
But let’s not forget: Google is heavily investing in AI, with tools like Google Bard and AI-powered search enhancements. Google has a history of investing in artificial intelligence and won’t stop now.
Limitations of AI Chatbots
AI chatbots offer convenience, but they have major drawbacks:
- No real-time crawling: ChatGPT relies on pre-existing data, meaning it can’t provide fresh news, live prices, or trending topics.
- Lack of citation and credibility: Without a search ranking system, AI-generated responses lack the structured, vetted nature of Google’s results.
- Limited SEO impact: Businesses can’t optimize for AI chatbots the same way they do for search engines. SEO tactics like schema optimization and on-page SEO are still critical for visibility.
Google’s Advantages
SearchGPT has changed how users consume information, but Google has what AI chatbots lack:
- Trust and authority
- A vast index of real-time content
- Sophisticated ranking algorithms
Plus, Google is adapting—integrating AI into search results and improving user intent matching.
So, What Is AI Good For?
AI isn’t replacing SEO—it’s enhancing it. Companies are using AI for content creation, research, and optimization.
A SEMrush study found that 70% of ChatGPT queries fell into a new “unknown” intent category. But of the remaining 30%, the breakdown was:
- 15.7% informational
- 10.3% navigational
- 4% transactional or commercial
This suggests that ChatGPT is more of a discovery engine than a search engine. It helps users explore topics, like brainstorming ideas or getting personalized recommendations, but when it’s time to make decisions, they turn to Google.
Think about it: What used to take days and multiple search queries can now be replaced by a well-thought-out prompt.
For example:
“My site is not generating enough leads. What do I need to do to get more qualified leads to my website?”
ChatGPT provides solutions, one of which is SEO.
What happens next? The user searches Google for the best SEO agency or content marketing company. And just like that, Google is back in the driver’s seat.
Is SearchGPT a Threat to Google Search?
Not even close. And we’re not the only ones saying it.
In 2025, a study by Rand Fishkin found that:
- Google handles 14 billion+ daily searches.
- ChatGPT? Just 37.5 million.
- Google holds 93.57% of the global search market; ChatGPT holds 0.25%.
Numbers don’t lie—Google isn’t going anywhere.
Final Verdict: Coexistence, Not Replacement
SearchGPT is an exciting tool, but it’s not a Google killer. Instead, AI-powered chatbots and search engines will coexist, complementing each other rather than competing directly.
The smartest businesses will leverage both. Using AI for discovery while optimizing for Google ensures long-term success.
One thing is clear: SEO isn’t dying—it’s evolving.
