# Similarweb: 95% of ChatGPT users also search on Google

Published: 2026-07-30T19:02:17.309Z · Source: Search Engine Journal (https://www.searchenginejournal.com/ai-search-isnt-replacing-google-its-layering-on-top-similarweb-data/583378/)
Source date: 2026-07-30
Flags: Similarweb study — vendor-published
Entities: chatgpt, google, similarweb

A new Similarweb report finds 95% of ChatGPT's 494 million users also used Google during the same March-to-May 2026 span, per Search Engine Journal — evidence AI search is layering on top of traditional search rather than replacing it. The same analysis found ChatGPT's U.S. ad penetration jumped from 14% in May to 26% in June, and that 58.8% of ChatGPT referral traffic lands on publisher homepages even though 65% of cited URLs point two or three folders deep.

Why it matters: The gap between where ChatGPT cites content and where its traffic actually lands means publishers tracking citation counts alone are missing where real referral value shows up.

## What this answers

**Is ChatGPT replacing Google search?**

Not yet, per Similarweb: 95% of ChatGPT's 494 million users also used Google during the same March-to-May 2026 window, indicating AI search is adding to search behavior rather than displacing it.

**Does ChatGPT send traffic to the exact pages it cites?**

Often not — Similarweb found 65% of ChatGPT's cited URLs sit two to three folders deep, yet 58.8% of referral traffic actually lands on homepages.


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