OpenAI says ChatGPT search-like queries are about one-fifth of Google's

Gman Creations is a web and visibility studio in Miami. OpenAI says ChatGPT's search-like queries are now about one-fifth of Google's. That is OpenAI's claim, with OpenAI's definition of a search. It is not the same as how many visits ChatGPT sends to websites.

What did OpenAI claim about ChatGPT and Google?

On November 3, 2026, Big Technology published an interview from an OpenAI-hosted dinner in New York City. The dinner was Monday evening. ChatGPT consumer product lead Adam Fry spoke with Alex Kantrowitz. Fry said ChatGPT's volume of search-like queries is now roughly one-fifth the volume of Google's. Search Engine Roundtable covered the same interview on November 4, 2026. Search Engine Journal also covered it and flagged what Fry left out.

How did Adam Fry define a search?

Fry defined a search this way. "Every time you ask a question and go search the web, that's a search."

He said people now look up people, places, and things that need up-to-date information. They also ask finance and health questions. Fry did not say which Google figure he used, what time period, or which regions.

How many weekly active users did Fry report?

Fry also said ChatGPT weekly active users went from 1.0 billion to 1.2 billion in about two months. That is a gain of about 200 million.

What did Google say about its own query growth?

Alphabet's third-quarter notes give a different frame. CEO Sundar Pichai said Google's year-over-year query growth rate is the highest in the last five years. He said AI investments are driving search query growth. That sits next to OpenAI's claim. It does not mean Google search is dying, and it does not mean ChatGPT replaced Google.

What do referral visits to sites look like?

Referral visits to sites tell another story. Ahrefs Web Analytics updated on November 3, 2026. The October data covers 118,671 sites. Google was about 24.74% of tracked traffic. ChatGPT was about 0.36%. Query volume is not the same as referral traffic.

What should local owners do?

If people look you up in more places, keep your site and Google Business Profile facts accurate. That helps whatever answers place your business.

FAQ

Is ChatGPT replacing Google search?

No. OpenAI's claim is about search-like query volume under OpenAI's own definition. Google's CEO said year-over-year query growth is the highest in five years. Outside referral data still shows Google far ahead of ChatGPT on tracked site traffic.

Does more ChatGPT query volume mean more visits to my site?

No. Query volume is not the same as visits to your site. Ahrefs October data across 118,671 sites put Google at about 24.74% of tracked traffic and ChatGPT at about 0.36%.

What should a local business owner do with this?

Keep your website and Google Business Profile facts accurate. Hours, services, address if you have one, and contact details should match. That helps answers place your business when people look you up.

Want a clear next step?

We wrote earlier about how ChatGPT traffic can show up as direct. Same idea here: read the channel before you rewrite a page.

Get Seen covers your website and help with an eligible Google Business Profile. Book a discovery call: cal.com/shohgman/discovery.