Google vs ChatGPT: Ahrefs Just Built a Scoreboard for the Future of Search

The Tale of Two Titans

Let’s start with the obvious: Google is still the emperor. The first batch of data (July 2025) shows Google delivered a jaw-dropping 41.9% of all web traffic. That’s not dominance—that’s empire-level power. And ChatGPT? A modest 0.19%.

Sounds laughable, right? Like comparing Rome to a tiny village on the outskirts. But here’s where the plot twist comes in: while Google grew by 1.4%, ChatGPT grew by 5.3% in the same month. That means ChatGPT’s growth rate is 3.8× faster than Google’s.

As Hemingway once said, “Gradually, then suddenly.” That’s how revolutions start.

How Ahrefs Measured the Madness

Ahrefs didn’t just pull these stats out of thin air. They tracked 44,421 websites through their free Web Analytics tool. To keep it clean, they only included sites that showed up every single month. That way, we’re comparing apples to apples.

Still, Ahrefs admits the count for ChatGPT might be conservative. Why? Because some AI systems strip referral data (like leaving breadcrumbs out of the trail). Translation: ChatGPT’s real footprint could be bigger than we think.

A bit like dark matter, hard to see, but undeniably there.

The Future: Not Either/Or, But Both

Here’s the thing. This isn’t “Google vs ChatGPT” like some Marvel showdown. It’s not Captain America vs. Iron Man. It’s more like peanut butter and jelly. Google is where we go for deep dives, shopping, and discovery. ChatGPT is where we go for quick wisdom, brainstorming, and neatly wrapped answers.

The future is hybrid. Search engines and AI will coexist, like print and digital books. Each serves a purpose. Each fills a gap.

The Trap of Dismissing the Small Stuff

Right now, it’s tempting to shrug at ChatGPT’s tiny slice of the pie. But remember:

• In 2005, businesses thought Facebook was just for college kids.
• In 2010, Instagram looked like a niche photo app.
• In 2016, TikTok was a lip-syncing toy.

We all know how that turned out. Today’s “0.19% blip” could be tomorrow’s marketing goldmine.

Challenges on the Horizon

Of course, it’s not all sunshine and algorithms. Measuring AI referrals comes with headaches:

• Invisible clicks. If AI tools don’t pass referral info, we’re undercounting.
• Blurry attributions. A user might ask ChatGPT first, then Google it later—who gets the credit?
• Shifting algorithms. As AI evolves, how it cites or links may change overnight.

In other words: buckle up. This is going to be a moving target.

The Community Reacts

Unsurprisingly, the SEO world is buzzing.

• Some are thrilled, declaring this as proof AI is a true disruptor.
• Others roll their eyes, pointing out that less than 1% is hardly a revolution.

But both camps agree: this is worth watching. When growth is nearly four times faster than the incumbent, even skeptics have to raise an eyebrow.

As Steve Jobs said, “You can’t connect the dots looking forward.” But you can bet a lot of marketers are trying.

So, what should you actually do?

Let’s keep it simple:

• Don’t ditch Google. It’s still your bread and butter.
• Peek at your ChatGPT referrals. You might be getting more than you think.
• Test your emerging AI search channels visibility. Ask ChatGPT about your niche. See who it recommends. If it’s not you, fix that.
• Stay agile. The rules will change. They always do.

Final Thoughts: The Spark Before the Fire

Ahrefs’ tracker is more than a dashboard. It’s a telescope, letting us glimpse the future of search. Yes, Google still wears the crown. But ChatGPT is the spark in the corner, growing quietly, faster than anyone expected.

History reminds us: empires fall not because they’re weak, but because new ways of thinking rewrite the rules. For now, the smartest move isn’t to pick sides. It’s to prepare. To learn. To adapt.

Have a look at Google vs AI traffic comparison

Quick Recap: July 2025

We’ll be following this race closely. Because whether it’s Google, ChatGPT, or something we haven’t even heard of yet, one thing is certain: the way we search, discover, and learn is changing forever. And if history has taught us anything? The ones who adapt first usually win.