OpenAI Says ChatGPT Search Volume Has Reached 20% of Google's
Adam Fry, head of consumer product for OpenAI ChatGPT, said at a media event that the volume of search queries handled by ChatGPT has reached 20% of Google's search query volume, where "search" refers to users entering queries and triggering web searches, excluding tasks such as defining terms or simple operating instructions, but he did not specify the source of the Google search volume data. Fry also said that advertising has not had a negative impact on the product or usage, and OpenAI announced last month that it will display images of sponsored goods and services in ChatGPT.
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An OpenAI executive gave the ratio of ChatGPT search volume relative to Google's, and explained the statistical scope and approach to ad monetization, which can be used to observe the degree to which AI search is diverting traffic from traditional search.
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OpenAI Says ChatGPT Search Volume Has Reached 20% of Google's
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November 04, 2026 06:34:33 From Beijing
Updated November 04, 2026 06:49:24
Phoenix Tech News, November 4 (Beijing Time) — According to The Verge, Adam Fry, head of consumer product for OpenAI ChatGPT, said at a media event on Monday that the search query volume handled by ChatGPT has reached 20% of Google's search query volume. He defined "search" as the act of a user entering a query and triggering a web search, excluding tasks such as defining terms or simple operating instructions; however, he did not specify the source of the Google search volume data.
20% still means ChatGPT is far from overtaking Google. By comparison, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella said during the 2023 Google antitrust trial that after more than a decade of effort, Bing accounted for about 3% of the search engine market. The Verge said that during the trial, Google described AI as a potential disruptor and believed ChatGPT could pose competition to it; now OpenAI appears to hold the same view.
According to the report, a large portion of OpenAI's search likely relies on Microsoft Bing while also using its own search index; however, there is still speculation that it routes some queries to Google.
The news comes during a period of adjustment in the search engine industry. Google continues to reduce traditional traffic referrals to third-party websites and is investing heavily in AI tools, including AI Overview and more generative AI capabilities, such as personalized search results with visualizations and charts. Meanwhile, as search queries increasingly flow to OpenAI and the services of other AI labs, other companies are also investing in similar AI search experiences, even if under different names. OpenAI calls it "Intelligent UI," which creates visual, interactive interfaces within chatbot replies. Fry said: "This is where the technology is headed. You are talking to a canvas."
Like Google, OpenAI also sees advertising as a potential path to profitability, especially as the company may launch an IPO early next year. OpenAI has previously defended its advertising model, and Fry told reporters that ads have not triggered a lasting backlash. "Advertising has not had a negative impact on the product or product usage," he said, adding that "most people don't seem to mind ads in the product."
OpenAI announced last month that it would begin showing images of sponsored goods and services in ChatGPT, rather than only showing company names, logos, and product links as before. Fry said: "Advertising may have shown us that we can actually do more." (Editor/Yu Lei)
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