Chatbots vs Search Engines in 2025

Over one third of Generation Z internet users are now turning to AI tools like chatbots before using search engines, signifying a shift in digital behaviours. In the workplace, almost half of all organisations are using AI chatbots for internal queries and routine tasks, showing a trend towards conversational AI as a first point of contact.

Are AI chatbots really changing the way we search—or are they just another shiny tool in our digital toolkit? Sure, search engines still dominate. Over 77% of internet users start their journey on platforms like Google, and with over 99,000 searches every second, that’s not slowing down anytime soon. But here’s what’s changing: more than 1 in 3 Gen Z users say they now ask AI tools like ChatGPT before opening a browser tab. That’s not a fluke—it’s a shift.

In the workplace, the trend is even more pronounced. According to Gartner, 48% of organizations have already adopted AI chatbots to handle internal queries, document lookups, and repetitive research tasks once reserved for search engines. And with 8.4 billion voice-enabled devices expected by 2026, conversational AI is quickly becoming the first point of contact, not the follow-up. So, are chatbots replacing search engines? Not quite. But they are changing expectations. Faster answers, personalized context, and fewer clicks are winning users over. Search isn’t dead—it’s evolving. And if the trendlines hold, the way we “Google it” might look very different in just a few years.

Until next time…

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Are AI Chatbots the Beginning of the End for Search Engines?

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