March 14, 2026 — A new analysis from Graphite.io finds that AI assistants make up 56% of global search volume, equivalent to 45 billion monthly sessions worldwide for tools including ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity, Grok and Claude.
The study, titled AI Is Much Bigger Than You Think and authored by CEO Ethan Smith, shows AI sessions are 34% of search volume in the US, with 5.4 billion monthly sessions there. Search-related “asking” prompts on AI equal 28% of global search. Smith shared the findings on X, noting:
I originally hypothesized that AI was over hyped and the size of its growth curve overstated. […] AI is much bigger than I thought.
Key Statistics
Worldwide, 83% of AI usage occurs via mobile apps, compared to 75% in the US. ChatGPT dominates with 89% of global AI sessions and 86% in the US. Total search plus AI sessions grew 26% year-over-year worldwide and 16% in the US, indicating expansion rather than displacement of traditional search.
The analysis used Similarweb data for web visits and app sessions, adjusted for asking prompts based on an OpenAI/Harvard study.
AI assistants make up 56% of global search volume, a figure 4-5 times larger than web-only estimates, prompting coverage across marketing outlets.
Marketing Implications
Search Engine Land reported that AI assistants make up 56% of global search volume, urging SEO professionals to optimize for AI engines (AEO) amid mobile-driven growth. Ignite Visibility highlighted the shift’s impact on marketers rethinking strategies for AI optimization.
Performance Marketing World noted AI usage growing faster than estimated, with AI assistants make up 56% of global search volume and asking prompts at 28%.
Broader Coverage
Additional reports echoed the data: ALM Corp on SEO shifts; MySocialPractice specifying 34% in the US; and ASCII.co.uk confirming AI assistants make up 56% of global search volume worldwide.
The findings, published in early March 2026, underscore AI’s rapid integration into search behaviors without diminishing traditional engines.