ChatGPT now processes a volume of search queries equal to roughly 20% of Google's, according to OpenAI. Adam Fry, the company's consumer product lead for ChatGPT, presented the figure at a press event on Monday, according to The Verge and Olhar Digital.

The Verge notes the shift already shows up in everyday language: in many circles, "Ask Chat" has replaced "Google it" as the default way people describe looking something up online.

Fry defined a "search" as any query that triggers a web search, as opposed to a simple request like defining a word or asking for a quick how-to explanation. Neither outlet reports OpenAI disclosing the exact source of the Google search-volume figure it used for the comparison.

A bet on "Intelligent UI"

OpenAI calls its push toward more visual, interactive answers inside ChatGPT "Intelligent UI," letting users explore information without leaving the conversation. "That's where the future of this technology goes. You're talking to a canvas," Fry said, according to both outlets. The Verge frames the push as part of a wider trend: as search queries increasingly shift toward AI labs' own services, rival companies are investing in similar AI-focused search experiences under different names.

Ads and a possible IPO

Fry said ads haven't hurt product usage and that most users don't seem bothered by them, both outlets report. Last month, OpenAI began showing images of sponsored products and services inside ChatGPT, instead of just a brand's name, logo and a link, as it did before. "Ads have maybe shown us that we could be doing this more, actually," Fry said. The remarks come as OpenAI eyes a possible IPO as early as next year, according to The Verge and Olhar Digital.

For comparison, The Verge notes that Microsoft Bing held about 3% of the search market after more than a decade of trying, a figure Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella cited during Google's 2023 antitrust trial.

The Verge also points to a broader shake-up in search: Google itself has been reducing referral traffic to outside websites while leaning on AI tools inside Search, including AI Overviews and newer features like personalized results with charts and visualizations.

The Verge also notes that OpenAI likely relies on Microsoft's Bing for much of its search results, together with its own in-house index, though the outlet says there is still some speculation that part of ChatGPT's queries are routed through Google itself.

The figure also lands in a context The Verge traces back to Google's own defense during its 2023 antitrust trial, when the company argued AI chatbots like ChatGPT were a real competitive threat to its search business — an argument OpenAI's own numbers now seem to support.

Even with the growth, the gap between the two platforms remains wide — a fifth of Google's volume is still far from challenging the search giant's position, and OpenAI has not said whether the current pace of growth will hold in the months ahead.

In practice

  • What was announced: ChatGPT's search volume is now equivalent to 20% of Google's, per OpenAI.
  • Who said it: Adam Fry, ChatGPT's consumer product lead, at a company event on Monday, November 2.
  • What wasn't disclosed: the source of the Google search-volume number used in the comparison.
  • What's changing in ads: OpenAI now shows images of sponsored products inside ChatGPT, not just brand names and logos.
  • Context: the announcement comes as OpenAI eyes a possible IPO as early as next year.
  • Market context: for comparison, Microsoft's Bing held about 3% of search market share after more than a decade of trying, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella said during Google's 2023 antitrust trial.