The OpenAI company claims that its ChatGPT chatbot is processing a volume of web searches equivalent to 20% of what Google handles. This statement marks a notable shift in how generative AI tools are positioning themselves against traditional search engines.

Adam Fry, the executive responsible for consumer products at OpenAI, presented this figure during a company event held on Monday. He defined a search as any user query that results in a web search. Simple questions, such as requests to define terms or explain tasks, are excluded from this count.

Despite the reported growth, ChatGPT still represents only a fraction of total search activity compared to Google. The comparison highlights the scale of the challenge facing AI-driven alternatives in the market. During a 2023 antitrust trial regarding Google, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella noted that Bing held approximately 3% of the search engine market after over a decade of investment.

The Verge reports that a significant portion of searches performed within ChatGPT likely utilize Microsoft's Bing alongside an index developed by OpenAI itself. There is also speculation that some queries may be forwarded to Google. Meanwhile, Google has begun incorporating generative AI features into its own search results, including AI-generated summaries and personalized visualizations.

OpenAI is developing more interactive search experiences called Intelligent UI. This approach aims to turn chatbot responses into interactive environments where users can explore information without leaving the conversation. Additionally, the company is integrating advertising into the platform to generate revenue, particularly ahead of a potential public offering scheduled for early 2027. Fry stated that ads have not caused lasting negative reactions among users.