With the continuous advancement of technology, AI search is gradually changing consumers' online search habits. According to a recent research report from Adobe, AI search is becoming a significant traffic source for the retail industry. The report analyzed over a trillion visits to US retail websites and surveyed over 5,000 US users to understand their AI search usage.
Data shows that AI search traffic surged by 1300% during the 2024 holiday season compared to 2023. This growth reached an astounding 1950% on Cyber Monday. While these numbers seem striking, this change is predictable considering AI search was still in its infancy last year.
Even more noteworthy are the user engagement metrics. Users arriving via AI search spent 8% more time on websites, viewed 12% more pages, and had a 23% lower bounce rate compared to users accessing websites through traditional search engines like Google or Bing. This data suggests that AI tools may be better at delivering relevant pages to users.
However, the rollout of AI search tools hasn't been without its hiccups. Since Google launched AI overview (formerly Search Generative Experience or SGE), numerous issues have emerged, and users have encountered various confusions, such as erroneous suggestions, like adding glue to pizza to help the cheese stick.
Despite these challenges, the rapid growth of AI search is undeniable. Many consumers are adapting to this new search method and readily accepting the information AI provides. This shift is not only impacting user search experiences but will also have a profound effect on the entire internet ecosystem. In the future, AI search could redefine how we access information and reshape the competitive landscape of search engines.
Key Takeaways:
1️⃣ AI search traffic increased by 1300% during the 2024 holiday season, reaching 1950% on Cyber Monday.
2️⃣ Users arriving via AI search spent more time on websites and viewed more pages, indicating AI search delivers more relevant content.
3️⃣ Despite challenges, consumer acceptance of AI search is growing, potentially reshaping the search engine landscape in the future.