AI Search Is Disrupting Google: 15% of Search Queries Now Go to AI-First Tools

New research from Similarweb and SparkToro shows that 15% of informational search queries that would previously have gone to Google are now handled by AI tools: ChatGPT (8%), Perplexity (4%), Claude (2%), Gemini (1%). The shift is most pronounced for research questions, how-to queries, and complex multi-part questions where AI provides synthesized answers without requiring link-clicking. Google's response—Gemini integration across search—has mixed user reception. SEO professionals are adapting to "Answer Engine Optimization" (AEO) strategies. Publishers report 20-30% decline in traffic from informational queries.