Google’s AI search is rapidly becoming the default, new data shows

Similarweb data shows Google’s AI Overviews grew from 15% to 43% of searches in a year.

AI Mode usage also nearly doubled, suggesting more users are staying inside Google’s AI-powered search experience.

AI citations are rising, but many still do not send traffic to publishers, especially news sites.

The shift could keep more attention and search activity within Google while reducing referral traffic to the open web.

ChatGPT referrals improved after a May search update, but the broader traffic pattern still favors platform-owned experiences.