March 15, 2026 — Worldwide — AI assistants now account for 56% of global search volume, per Graphite.io study[1][2], according to a detailed analysis by Ethan Smith, CEO of Graphite.io. The report, based on Q4 2025 data from Similarweb, shows AI assistants like ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity, Grok, and Claude generating 45 billion monthly sessions worldwide, equivalent to 34% in the US.
The study highlights that when limited to ‘search-like’ prompts, AI accounts for 28% globally and 17% in the US. Notably, 83% of global AI usage occurs via mobile apps (75% in the US), which had previously understated AI’s scale by 4-5x in web-only estimates. Total search plus AI activity has grown 26% globally since 2023, with ChatGPT holding 89% of AI sessions.
Study Methodology and Key Insights
Graphite.io’s analysis combines web and mobile app sessions, revealing AI’s massive mobile dominance. This explains why earlier figures pegged AI at just 5% of search volume. AI assistants now account for 56% of global search volume, per Graphite.io study, positioning AI as additive to traditional search rather than cannibalizing it.
Search Engine Land reported on March 10 that Google’s share fell from 89% in 2023 to 71% in Q4 2025, with US AI growth at +300% year-over-year. The outlet noted expert skepticism from Rand Fishkin of SparkToro regarding the methodology.
Industry Reactions and Coverage
Digital marketing outlets quickly covered the findings. Ignite Visibility (March 7-13) emphasized the 56% global and 34% US figures, mobile usage, and ChatGPT’s dominance, urging SEO adaptation. ALM Corp described a ‘mobile app gap’ invisible to web analytics, advocating Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) alongside SEO and citing 4.4x better conversions from AI referrals. Gartner predicts a 25% drop in traditional search by end-2026.
AI assistants now account for 56% of global search volume, per Graphite.io study, as echoed by Innermedia (March 12) and Performance Marketing World (March 11), which noted 26% global search growth from 2024-2025.
Social Media and Broader Mentions
On X, SEO expert Aaron Haynes (@myeyesshine_) shared the shift from 5% web-only to 56% including mobile, stressing market expansion. Other aggregators like SEO Spyglass and Lazysoft referenced the core stats.
AI assistants now account for 56% of global search volume, per Graphite.io study, marking a pivotal shift in search dynamics as covered across tech and marketing sectors.