For the past year, the marketing world has been screaming that AI will kill Google. But the actual numbers show a completely different reality.

Let’s look closely at the newly updated Similarweb data. We need to be very precise about what these numbers actually mean for our industry.

> Percentage of Google visitors who also visited ChatGPT
> November 2022: Launch
> December 2022: 1.6%
> January 2023: 2.9%
> February 2023: 4.5%
> March 2023: 5.0%
> April 2023: 5.7%
> May 2023: 5.7%
> June 2023: 5.5%
> July 2023: 5.0%
> August 2023: 5.0%
> September 2023: 5.3%
> October… [pic.twitter.com/8cuhc8Lu6r](https://t.co/8cuhc8Lu6r)
> — Similarweb (@Similarweb) [March 16, 2026](https://twitter.com/Similarweb/status/2033492144237777382?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

The percentage of Google users who also [visit ChatGPT](https://www.similarweb.com/blog/research/market-research/most-visited-websites/) has steadily grown. It started at just 1.6% in January 2023 and reached about 14% by February 2026.

While 14% is a notable jump, it means 86% of Google’s massive user base still isn’t using ChatGPT.

Now, let’s look at the other side of the graph. This is the most critical metric for any SEO professional to understand.

A staggering 94% to 96% of ChatGPT users still visit Google in the exact same month. People are not leaving Google; they are simply adding AI to the mix.

Here is a clear breakdown of how those overlapping audiences have shifted over time:

**Month & Year**
**% of Google Users Visiting ChatGPT**
**% of ChatGPT Users Visiting Google**

**Jan 2023**
~ 1.6%
~ 96%

**Jan 2024**
~ 5.5%
~ 96%

**Jun 2024**
~ 7.5%
~ 95%

**Feb 2026**
~ 14.0%
~ 94%

## The New Multi-Touch Search Journey

Think about how a real user behaves today. We see this exact scenario play out constantly across client campaigns here at Stan Ventures.

Let’s say a business owner wants to build their website’s authority. They might ask ChatGPT, “What are the benefits of niche edits?” to get a quick summary.

They use AI for the exploratory phase to get ideas. But the user does not buy [professional SEO services](https://www.stanventures.com/managed-seo-services/) directly from an AI prompt.

Next, they go straight to Google. They search for “[trusted niche edit services](https://www.stanventures.com/niche-edits-services/)” to find a reliable agency.

They use Google to read reviews, check out case studies, and validate the agency’s authority. AI is for brainstorming, while Google is for fact-checking and buying.

The fact that over 94% of ChatGPT users still rely on Google is definitive proof of this validation loop.

## How to Win in the New Search Ecosystem

As the Director of Marketing, I always tell our clients they don’t have to pick between AI and Google. You need a presence on both.

Your strategy can no longer be one-dimensional. Traditional SEO is not dying, but it is expanding.

Here is how you need to adapt your strategy today:

- **Keep your technical foundation strong:** A fast, healthy website is still a baseline requirement for Google’s EEAT standards.
- **Format for AI extraction:** Use clear headings, bullet points, and simple, fact-based answers so AI tools can easily cite you.
- **Build off-page authority:** AI models look at brand mentions and context, not just links. Earn high-quality placements to build trust.
- **Target the validation stage:** Ensure your bottom-of-funnel landing pages rank well on Google for when users are ready to convert.