Google Outpaces ChatGPT in U.S. GenAI Search Traffic for December 2024

Whether you’re planning a vacation, troubleshooting a home gadget, or brainstorming ideas for a project, AI tools have transformed how we search, interact, and learn online.

And at the forefront of this shift are platforms like Google and ChatGPT, battling to redefine search and conversation in the digital age. And while both are leading players in this evolving landscape, Google stands unchallenged in sheer search volume.

Just a couple of years ago, asking a computer for instant, personalized answers felt futuristic. Today, thanks to the rapid rise of Generative AI (GenAI), it's becoming second nature.

According to Similarweb's data on the number of GenAI searches in the U.S. in December 2024, Google.com racked up a jaw-dropping 16.5 billion desktop and mobile web visits in the U.S. The platform’s dominance was more than 30 times that of its nearest competitor, ChatGPT, which logged 517 million visits during the same period.

Google’s overwhelming lead came from a pivotal move: introducing AI Overviews into its search results back in May 2024. Easily building on its long-established dominace in the search engine market with a 90% share –now slowing down–, the AI enhancements made an indispensable tool even better.

For users already accustomed to "Googling it," for everything from recipes to troubleshooting tips, these AI-powered summaries offered users fast, concise answers without having to dig through multiple sites.

But while Google contiuee to dominate in search, ChatGPT is carving out a niche of its own in GenAI chatbot space. According to Similarweb, ChatGPT saw 3.7 billion global monthly visits in November 2024 , more than double its traffic from the previous year leading the likes of Google-owned chatbot Gemini (291.6 million visits), Perplexity (90 million visits) and Claude's 84.1 million visits.

The key difference lies in how these platforms serve user needs. Google’s overwhelming advantage comes from its legacy search infrastructure and user behavior, it was only natural that its AI-infused search results would see mass adoption.

Still, ChatGPT represents a different kind of opportunity. Its conversational approach, ability to generate creative outputs, and recent web search capabilities make it a favorite for dynamic user interactions. As ChatGPT continues evolving, it presents a serious challenge to Google—not necessarily in total search volume but in shaping how users engage with AI-driven platforms.