As the popularity of ChatGPT and other conversational search technologies continues to grow, it’s evident that Google is experiencing a shift in its status as the premier discovery platform online.

Specifically, when I mention “losing ground,” I refer to the significant milestone where Google’s share of the search engine market fell below 90% for the first time in a decade last year. Although it remains the leading tool for online discovery, the emergence of advanced AI technologies is starting to influence its traditional business model.

According to a recently created chart by the team at Visual Capitalist, while Google has seen a slight decline, Bing has experienced growth. This increase is likely a result of Microsoft’s</b partnership with OpenAI, leading to a more robust integration of AI features into Bing, which also showcases ChatGPT results.

In fact, in 2023, following Microsoft’s announcement about integrating ChatGPT results into Bing, the search engine saw a dramatic surge in downloads, increasing tenfold. This remarkable growth signifies a shifting landscape in how users engage with search engines.

Once regarded as the “other” search engine, Bing has become increasingly relevant due to the rise of generative AI technologies. In response, Google is also evolving by incorporating its own AI-driven features to maintain its competitive edge in the market.

This strategic move is likely to help Google sustain its leadership position in online discovery, but it raises intriguing questions about the future implications of the AI evolution on the discovery process for users moving forward.

Explore the infographic overview below for a visual representation of these trends.