March 14, 2026 — A Graphite.io study titled “AI is Much Bigger Than You Think” has determined that AI Assistants Make Up 56% of Global Search Volume, equivalent to 45 billion monthly sessions worldwide and 34% in the U.S.
The analysis by CEO Ethan Smith compared top AI assistants including ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity, Grok and Claude against major search engines like Google and Bing, using mobile app sessions and web visits. ChatGPT dominates with 89% of global AI sessions, while 83% of AI usage occurs via mobile apps worldwide.
Key Statistics and Methodology
When focusing on search-like “asking” prompts, AI accounts for 28% of global search volume and 17% in the U.S., according to the study. Total search plus AI sessions grew 26% year-over-year globally and 16% in the U.S. from 2024 to 2025.
“We originally sought to evaluate our hypothesis that most claims about the usage of AI were overstated… However, upon closer inspection of the data, we found that not only are the claims that AI may soon overtake search not overstated, they are understated.”
— Ethan Smith, Graphite.io CEO
The conservative methodology excluded web/desktop data for AI where possible and non-search prompts, sourcing from Similarweb with high correlation to first-party data.
Industry Reactions and Coverage
Search Engine Land reported the findings, noting U.S. AI growth hit 300% year-over-year in December 2025 and emphasizing that AI Assistants Make Up 56% of Global Search Volume expands discovery without shrinking traditional search.
Ignite Visibility highlighted how AI Assistants Make Up 56% of Global Search Volume, urging marketers to blend SEO with AI Engine Optimization (AEO):
“We’ve been saying it for a while now, but let these numbers show: you cannot avoid AI search when planning your SEO strategy.”
Other outlets like Performance Marketing World and ALM Corp echoed that AI Assistants Make Up 56% of Global Search Volume, with ChatGPT leading at 89% of sessions and rapid mobile adoption.
Implications for Digital Marketing
The shift prompts adaptation in SEO strategies, as Google’s share of search traffic dropped from 89% in 2023 to 71% in Q4 2025. Smith noted AI growth is incremental to search, not zero-sum.
Social media buzz on X amplified the study, with Smith sharing stats confirming AI Assistants Make Up 56% of Global Search Volume.[8] Discussions predict further traditional search declines by end-2026.
The story, part of Graphite’s “Five Percent” series, broke earlier this week and gained traction in SEO circles.