Google & AI: 95% User Overlap Boosts Your Local Visibility

What Happened

In September 2025, Similarweb reported that a staggering 95 % of ChatGPT users also visit Google. That figure held steady through May 2026, even as generative‑AI traffic grew 70 % year‑over‑year. The data suggests that AI is not displacing search but augmenting it—users turn to ChatGPT for quick answers while still relying on Google for detailed research, maps, and local information.

The same trend appears in the Bocconi University study, which found a 9.4 % drop in traditional search queries among households that gained ChatGPT Search access. The apparent contradiction dissolves when we distinguish the metrics: overlap counts people, while query counts measure activity per household. The two can move independently.

Key Takeaways from the Data

• High overlap: 95 % of ChatGPT users also browse Google.
• Growth in AI traffic: 70 % YoY increase, but Google traffic remains stable.
• Query drop: 9.4 % reduction in Google searches for users with ChatGPT access.
• Clicks can still fall even when audience overlap and query numbers stay constant.

Key Details

• Overlap vs. Queries: Overlap tells us who is using both platforms; queries tell us how many searches they perform. A user might use ChatGPT for quick facts but still search Google for reviews or directions.
• Local Search Impact: Many local‑search queries (hours, directions, “near me”) still funnel through Google, meaning local citations and listings remain critical.
• AI Visibility Reports: Ahrefs and other tools now provide AI‑specific visibility data. Understanding where your brand appears in AI answers can inform citation strategy.

What It Means For Your Business

1. Keep Google on the Frontlines

Your local Google Business Profile, citations, and reviews are still the backbone of local discovery. Even as AI becomes a first‑stop for quick answers, Google remains the go‑to for detailed information.

2. Capture AI Visibility

• Audit AI mentions: Use Ahrefs or Similarweb AI reports to see where your brand shows up in ChatGPT, Gemini, or Perplexity answers.
• Optimize content: Create concise, FAQ‑style content that AI can pull from, ensuring your brand is the authoritative source.
• Leverage structured data: Schema markup helps AI engines recognize and cite your information accurately.

3. Convert AI Interest Into Clicks

• Link from AI answers: When your brand appears in an AI answer, ensure the link points to a high‑converting landing page or Google Business Profile.
• Monitor click‑through rates: Even with high overlap, clicks can dip. Use analytics to track how AI mentions drive traffic to your site.

4. Build a Unified Citation Strategy

• Consistent NAP: Name, address, phone number consistency across Google, Bing, and AI platforms is crucial.
• Local citations: Submit your business to reputable local directories—AI engines often pull from these sources.
• Review management: Encourage satisfied customers to leave reviews; AI often references review scores.

Action Plan

1. Run an AI visibility audit using Ahrefs or Similarweb.

2. Identify gaps where your brand is missing or under‑represented in AI answers.

3. Create or update FAQ pages with concise, authoritative answers.

4. Add structured data to your pages.

5. Track performance: Use UTM parameters to see how AI traffic converts.

6. Iterate: Adjust content based on click‑through data.

By treating AI as an additional layer on top of Google, you can expand your reach without abandoning the proven power of local search. Your brand will appear wherever potential customers ask questions—whether they type into a search bar or a chat window.

Why It Matters

For a local or small business, the 95 % overlap means that your online presence must span both traditional search and AI platforms. If your brand is missing from AI answers, you lose a significant chunk of potential traffic—especially for quick, on‑the‑go queries that users expect to be answered instantly.

By optimizing your content for AI—through concise FAQs, structured data, and consistent NAP information—you not only improve your chances of being cited by ChatGPT, Gemini, or Perplexity, but you also reinforce your authority across Google. This dual‑channel approach ensures that when a user asks, “Where can I find the best coffee shop near me?” your business appears as the first, trustworthy recommendation.

Ultimately, AI isn’t a threat; it’s an extension of search that amplifies the reach of well‑optimized local listings. Ignoring AI visibility means missing out on a growing audience that still relies heavily on Google for final decisions.

FAQs

• Will my business be replaced by AI search?

No. AI is layering on top of search, not replacing it. Your Google presence remains essential.

• How can I track AI visibility?

Use tools like Ahrefs AI reports or Similarweb to see where your brand appears in AI answers and measure click‑through rates.

• What content should I create for AI?

Short, FAQ‑style answers, supported by structured data, help AI engines pull accurate information about your business.