Is AI Stealing Google’s Crown? How Search Is Changing in the Age of Robots

Something big shook the tech world last week. During a courtroom testimony, Apple’s Eddy Cue revealed that Google searches on Safari have plunged over the past two months — a drop so sharp, it hasn’t been seen in over 22 years. His theory? Blame it on generative AI.

The market didn’t take the news lightly. Alphabet’s stock took a major hit, losing almost $250 billion in value. And for the past eight months, Google’s share of search traffic has stayed below 90% — still dominant, but noticeably slipping. Investors are nervous.

So, is AI finally poking holes in Google’s long-protected empire? More and more people are turning to AI tools to get quick answers, summaries, and lists — and it's starting to show. We’ve taken a closer look at the numbers and what they might mean for Google’s future.

Key Takeaways:

• News that Google searches were falling on Apple’s Safari browser sent shockwaves through Wall Street.

• Alphabet’s stock took a tumble, as many investors started to worry that Google was falling behind in the AI race.

• There’s no denying it — AI is changing how we search. People are trying it out and using it more often.

• The way we search is shifting too. Users are picking different platforms depending on what kind of question they have.

• But let’s not count Google out just yet. The company is still deeply invested in AI, and search is still its heartbeat. If anything, their biggest misstep might be staying too quiet about the work they’re doing.

Chasing the Top Spot

Every year, Google pays Apple around $20 billion just to be the default search engine on Safari. That deal keeps Google front and center on millions of iPhones. But even with that huge investment, there's a growing sense of uncertainty about Google’s future.

In the past year alone, Google’s parent company, Alphabet, has lost two major antitrust lawsuits—and now, it’s facing the real possibility of being broken up. For years, critics have said Google’s grip on the search market is too tight. Even tech giants like Microsoft haven’t managed to loosen it.

The numbers back it up. According to Statcounter, Google still handled almost 90% of internet searches worldwide as of April 2025. Bing came in far behind with under 4%. Google’s lead used to feel unshakable.

But now, it’s not regulators that might tip the scales—it’s technology.

AI Search Is Gaining Ground

A recent survey from Higher Visibility, a digital marketing agency, found that over 70% of Americans now use AI tools to search for information, and about 14% use AI search daily.

That fits with what research firm GWI has been seeing too. They’re not saying Google is going away anytime soon, but there’s definitely a shift happening.

Gen Z leads the adoption with 82% using AI for search. Source: Higher Visibility

People are choosing their search tools based on what they’re looking for. About 80% still rely on Google (or sometimes Bing) for general searches. But when it comes to shopping—especially comparing prices or finding the best deal—more people are turning to AI search. Why? Because it saves time by pulling everything together in one neat summary.

One of the most fascinating parts of this change is how different generations are reacting. Gen Z is leading the way, with 82% saying they use AI search at least now and then. Compare that to 50% of Millennials, 65% of Gen X, and only 45% of Boomers. Clearly, younger users are more open to trying something new.

Across all age groups, AI tools like ChatGPT are getting top marks for the quality of answers they provide. People seem genuinely more satisfied with the results.

Users are more satisfied with ChatGPT results than those from Google and Bing. Source: GWI

But the landscape is complicated. Gen Z often turns to social media to discover new products, while Gen X and Millennials are starting to embrace voice search more often.

Interestingly, Google’s own AI tools might be backfiring. Its new AI-powered summaries have led to fewer users clicking through to websites—a surprising misstep that shows even the biggest player in search is still figuring things out.

Is Google Really in Trouble?

Google’s grip on the search market has loosened—just a bit. Its share has dipped below 90%, down from the 93% it held back in late 2022 when ChatGPT made its big debut. The drop may seem small, but it’s been steady. For most of the past eight months, Google has stayed under that 90% line—a quiet signal that something might be shifting.

People are clearly exploring other options. Platforms like ChatGPT are no longer just tech curiosities; they’ve become real tools for hundreds of millions. OpenAI says around 400 million people use ChatGPT weekly. That’s a huge number. Alphabet might argue that regulation isn’t needed—tech innovation is already doing the job of balancing power.

This isn’t the first time a tech giant has faced pressure. In the early 2000s, Microsoft was the main target. It dominated the PC world—until new tech and its own slow responses caused it to stumble. We might be seeing echoes of that moment now.

But let’s pause. The idea that AI will take over search sounds exciting—but is it actually making money? So far, not really. In a recent Bloomberg interview, analyst Michael Nathanson pointed out something most people overlook: AI search queries rarely lead to sales. Google, on the other hand, still owns the part of search that brings in real money—the ads, the clicks, the conversions. And no one else is even close.

Still, the market seems nervous. Alphabet’s stock closed at $165.40 on May 15, 2025—a drop of more than 19% from February’s peak of $206.38. Investors are asking: Is Google losing its edge?

Let’s Be Real: Google’s Not Going Anywhere

Despite all the noise, a deeper look tells a different story. Google’s foundation is still rock solid—and arguably getting stronger.

Wall Street analyst Shay Boloor recently shared a post on X that’s been viewed over 400,000 times. His take? Google’s search business is still a monster—pulling in over $200 billion, holding on to a 90% global share, growing at 10% annually, and churning out profits with EBITDA margins north of 35%.

“Find me a better business,” he says bluntly.

Boloor believes the market has fallen for the AI hype. Investors are getting swept up in narratives and ignoring the numbers. He writes:

“Since the end of 2022, the story has been the same: Google fumbled AI. ChatGPT took them by surprise. OpenAI is the future. Google’s Gemini is underwhelming. Too slow. Too late.

“But none of that lines up with the facts. Look at the revenue. The margins. The dominance. The pace of product updates. This isn’t a company under threat—it’s a company Wall Street doesn’t quite know how to value right now.”

He argues that to really understand Google, you’ve got to zoom out. It’s not just about search anymore. Google is weaving its Gemini AI into everything—from Search and Gmail to Cloud and YouTube. It’s ramping up its in-house chip power with TPU hardware, building smarter AI agents, and expanding its footprint in enterprise AI quietly but meaningfully.

Boloor sums it up perfectly:

“This isn’t a company that got lazy. It’s a company that didn’t feel the need to yell.”

The Bottom Line

Unless regulators step in, Google isn’t going anywhere. Despite all the hype around AI, Google still has the upper hand and isn’t backing down anytime soon.

Behind the scenes, the smart investors and marketers aren’t panicking — they’re doubling down on what really matters. The data, user behavior, and long-term trends all suggest one thing: Google will likely stay king of the search game for the foreseeable future.

FAQs

1. Is AI replacing traditional search engines like Google?

AI is definitely changing how we search, but it’s not taking over — at least not yet. Most people are using AI tools alongside Google, not instead of it. It’s more of a tag-team than a takeover right now.

2. Will Google become obsolete?

Some folks are frustrated with how cluttered Google's search results have become — too many ads, not enough real answers. That’s nudging users to explore new tools like AI chatbots or even old-school forums and social media. But for most, Google is still the default place to start.

3. Does AI threaten SEO?

AI is shaking things up, no doubt. Fewer people are clicking through from search results because AI can now summarize answers. But it’s not all bad — for SEO pros, AI is also opening up new ways to understand traffic patterns and fine-tune strategies. In many ways, it’s just changing the game, not ending it.