AI usage for search triples in six months as users increasingly diversify platforms like ChatGPT, Google, and social media for different types of queries.
MEMPHIS, Tenn., Aug. 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — HigherVisibility, a nationally recognized digital marketing agency, has published an updated version of its consumer research study, How People Search Today: A Study on Evolving Search Behaviors in 2025. The latest findings, based on a second wave of responses collected in August 2025, reveal a noticeable acceleration in how Americans are using AI tools and other platforms for search.
Originally conducted in February, the study established a baseline of how users were beginning to experiment with tools like ChatGPT. Six months later, the follow-up survey confirms that those early behaviors are quickly becoming more widespread.
Read the full findings here:
Key Takeaways:
Google’s share of general information searches fell from 73% in February to 66.9% in August.
ChatGPT usage tripled, growing from 4.1% to 12.5% in the same category.
Daily AI tool usage more than doubled, increasing from 14% to 29.2%.
34.8% of respondents now report a shift in how they search, up from 27.7% in February.
“This isn’t just curiosity anymore, it’s habit-forming behavior,” said Adam Heitzman, Co-Founder and Managing Partner at HigherVisibility. “AI isn’t replacing search engines, but it’s redefining how people interact with information.”
User Preferences Are Becoming More Specialized:
Google continues to lead for local searches and quick facts.
AI platforms like ChatGPT are increasingly used for deeper research and explanations.
Social media plays a growing role in product discovery and trend-based searches.
Users Cite Convenience and Customization:
In open responses, users pointed to ChatGPT’s speed, precision, and conversational nature as key reasons for the switch. Others cited frustration with ad-heavy or overly broad search results on traditional platforms.
What This Means for Businesses:
With search behavior fragmenting across multiple platforms, businesses need to adapt quickly:
SEO strategies must now include AI readiness, not just traditional rankings.
Content must be structured for summarization, conversational context, and discovery.
Cross-platform visibility is becoming a requirement, not a bonus.
About HigherVisibility
HigherVisibility is a digital marketing agency that helps businesses grow through SEO, Paid Search, Paid Social, CRO, and Web Development. We work with a wide range of clients, from small and mid-sized businesses to franchises and multi-location enterprises, delivering strategies that drive measurable performance and scalable results.
