2025 Data + 2026 Predictions

SEO vs AEO

The search landscape is transforming. Here's the data that proves why Answer Engine Optimization is the fastest-growing digital strategy of 2025.

8.5B
Daily Google Searches
Stable
+240%
AEO Interest Growth (2024-2025)
Exploding
400M+
Weekly ChatGPT Users
+33% YoY
-25%
Predicted Search Volume Drop by 2026
Gartner
SEO
Search Engine Optimization
Traditional Search Rankings
  • Market Size (2025) $107B
  • Google Market Share 90%
  • Organic Traffic Share 53.3%
  • Zero-Click Searches 60%+
  • 2026 Volume Projection -25%
VS
AEO
Answer Engine Optimization
AI-Powered Discovery
  • Interest Growth (YoY) +240%
  • AI Overview Coverage 16-18%
  • US Adults Using ChatGPT 34%
  • CTR from Perplexity 6-10x Higher
  • 2026 Traffic Projection +100%

Search Interest Trajectory: 2025 → 2026

Projected shifts in traditional vs AI-powered search discovery

SEO Interest (2025)
100%
Baseline
SEO Interest (2026)
~75%
-25%
AEO Interest (2025)
100%
Baseline
AEO Interest (2026)
~180-200%
+80-100%
Key Industry Prediction

"By 2026, traditional search engine volume will drop 25%, with search marketing losing market share to AI chatbots and other virtual agents."

— Gartner, Inc. (February 2024)

60%
Zero-Click Searches
Searches ending without a website click as AI provides direct answers
34.5%
CTR Reduction
Drop in organic click-through when AI Overviews appear in search results
30-40%
Traffic Shift
Informational searches expected to move to AI platforms by 2027

Ready to Future-Proof Your Visibility?

AEO doesn't replace SEO – it extends and amplifies it. Get ahead of the shift.

Get Your Free AI Audit

Data sources: Gartner, Statista, Ahrefs, Google Trends, Pew Research, Backlinko, Amsive (2024-2025)