Traditional search engines such as Google and Bing may not be dead, but they’re definitely losing ground. A new Future survey of U.S. consumers shows that more people are turning to generative AI tools like ChatGPT and Gemini for answers that they would have previously asked Google. This is especially true when they want personalization or faster responses.
According to the just published Future AI Sentiment Wave 3 report, 55% of U.S. respondents now use AI instead of search engines for certain tasks, with even higher numbers in the UK (62%). The types of queries users are turning to AI for rather than Google might surprise you, because they go beyond just facts. Here are six of the most common things people now ask chatbots like ChatGPT instead of Google — plus, why it’s working.
1. Planning a vacation
AI has become the new travel agent as users turn to chatbots to help them create multi-day itineraries, suggest kid-friendly attractions and even make restaurant recommendations. With a few prompts, OpenAI’s chatbot can plan a full itinerary complete with flight times and the attractions you simply shouldn’t miss.
The report found that many users prefer AI to plan their trips because of the personalization and step-by-step suggestions they get in mere seconds, compared to sifting through dozens of links from Google.
2. Creating personalized fitness plans
In an effort to keep up with their fitness routines, users are turning to AI to customize their fitness schedules and goals while also accounting for injuries. Now, instead of Googling and getting a generic workout, users are asking ChatGPT for suggestions.
One case study in the survey indicated that a user asked AI for a 4-week plan that fit between daycare drop-off and work meetings – and got exactly that in seconds.
3. Finding the right gift
When it comes to finding the right gift for loved ones, friends and that “hard-to-buy-for” individual, AI is now becoming a go-to solution. As a gifting assistant, users are prompting AI with aspects such as budget, theme and personality traits of the recipient and getting curated ideas without spending hours at the store or browsing online. Asking AI instead of Google also means less sponsored links and listicles.
For example, when I asked Google for anniversary gift ideas for my husband on our 13th year anniversary, I was bombarded with images of potential gifts that felt impersonal and unrelated. However, asking ChatGPT-5 resulted in highly personal and meaningful gift ideas.
4. Troubleshooting tech
Whether their phones are overheating or their laptop battery isn’t charging, users are skipping the endless Google links and online forums and going straight to AI for answers. The generative format helps explain issues much clearer and faster, often with step-by-step guides for immediate fixes.
Users can now even share their screen and chat directly with Gemini Live to troubleshoot issues on their computer. Similarly, ChatGPT Advanced Voice and Vision can help users by "seeing" what's going on around them.
5. Comparing products
When users need to compare prices or want a rundown of the difference between products, they are turning to AI tools to help summarize key differences. When time is of the essence, AI can summarize key variations faster, often creating graphs to help users visualize the differences. Getting comparisons fast means users can make more informed decisions with more confidence and less scrolling.
For example, I did a quick search for the differences between the MacBook Air vs MacBook Pro and ChatGPT-5 created an instant summary and made suggestions based on my personal preferences.
6. Drafting emails or messages
Beyond sourcing information, users are now turning to AI more often to help them draft messages. From cover letters and emails, generative AI is replacing Google searches like, “how to write a professional email” and just doing it, with direct, editable drafts customized to the users’ tone requests and context.
Users can input their first draft and ask AI to help them make the tone more professional, casual or friendly according to their needs. Many of these tools are integrated through apps or even directly on their phone with Gemini or Apple Intelligence.
Bottom line
AI search has become a behavioral shift. Users are moving away from traditional engines when they want customization, speed and convenience. While search still plays a critical role in validating results, generative AI is becoming the first stop for a growing list of tasks.
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