Survey: 58.7% say AI search has reduced or replaced traditional search (searcherries.com)

A recent survey of 1,090 U.S. users reveals a significant shift in search behavior, with 58.7% of respondents stating that AI search has reduced or completely replaced traditional search methods. Findings indicate that 78% of users engage with AI search multiple times a week, primarily for quick fact-checking (67%) and in-depth research (52.3%). The speed and ability to provide personalized answers were the leading reasons users prefer AI search, pointing to a growing dependency on AI solutions for day-to-day informational needs. The survey also highlights the evolving landscape of source citation in AI searches. While 71.2% of AI answers include citations, over half of the cited domains appear only once, showcasing a long-tail effect in the content sources used. The most frequently cited platforms are Wikipedia, YouTube, and Reddit, suggesting that diverse content—from encyclopedic entries to user-generated content—plays a vital role. With the expectation that traditional search engine volume may drop by 25% by 2026, this transition could fundamentally reshape information retrieval, making AI-driven searches a dominant method for accessing knowledge in the digital age.