NATIONWIDE – For more than two decades, Google has been considered the gold standard for online information quality. But new research reveals that trust is shifting.
In a national survey of 1,151 U.S. adults, 48.39% of Americans still rank Google as the top-quality source of information. However, among heavy AI users (those who engage with AI systems daily), Google’s lead shrinks by nearly eight points, while ChatGPT surges to 35.26%.
“The more people use AI, the less they believe Google represents the highest-quality source of information,” said Joe Youngblood, Dallas-based SEO strategist, marketing theorist, and founder of JoeYoungblood.com. “Trust is the currency of the internet. As consumers grow comfortable with AI, Google’s long-standing authority is eroding—and that opens space for challengers.”
The findings signal a new reality for digital businesses:
- Credibility is shifting away from Google. Heavy AI users are nearly split between Google and ChatGPT when it comes to quality perception.
- Emerging players like Perplexity and Claude are gaining footholds, showing consumers are open to alternatives.
- Publishers and brands must adapt their content strategies to be discoverable and credible across both traditional search and AI-driven platforms.
While Google still leads overall at nearly 50%, the study suggests its once-unquestioned dominance is giving way to a two-horse race with ChatGPT. As AI adoption accelerates, consumer trust will be the deciding factor in who wins the battle for online authority.
For the full study, click here.
