Latest News: The Search Shift
Stay on top of the trends in how people search today.
Yext
Dec 4, 2025
TL;DR: Cut through the noise: your weekly, no-fluff update on the biggest shifts in AI and search trends in 2025 — for marketers, by marketers.
Week of December 1
Google Ads begin surfacing inside AI Mode as tests expand
The move marks a major shift in how Google blends sponsored content with AI-generated answers. The change could reshape visibility, click-through rates, and the overall search experience.
ChatGPT adds shopping research for product discovery
The TL;DR? Brands may risk losing visibility — and sales — if their product data isn’t accurate, complete, and optimized for AI discovery.
Week of November 17
Google launches Gemini 3
The AI race shows no signs of slowing down, with Google following its recent agentic AI announcement with more Gemini updates.
AI will impact 89% of jobs next year, CNBC survey says
Artificial intelligence is changing the way leaders envision roles, skills, and experiences of their workforce, as generative AI transforms many jobs.
Week of November 11
Google’s AI Mode gets agentic booking for event tickets, beauty appointments
The agentic AI race accelerates, with Google as the latest tech giant to have ‘search’ performing tasks, not just giving answers.
What the $400 million Snap Inc.‑Perplexity AI deal means
In another sign of AI’s impact on “traditional” interfaces, Snapchat users will soon be able to use the app as an AI search tool.
Week of November 3
Google Maps incorporates Gemini
AI’s expansion continues: the move should enhance customer discovery, improve logistics, and add developer opportunities.
OpenAI and Amazon ink $38B cloud computing deal
The deal gives OpenAI massive infrastructure to scale ChatGPT and its new Atlas browser, pushing AI-driven discovery even further beyond traditional search.
Week of October 27
AI-powered search engines rely on “less popular” sources, researchers find
More research confirms that AI cites a wide variety of sources — and brands need a strategy to manage them all.
OpenAI’s restructuring could reshape the AI landscape
The AI era is entering a maturation phase: companies are shifting from “proof of concept” to “scale and monetize”.
Week of October 20
OpenAI launches ChatGPT Atlas browser with agentic AI
The new browser embeds AI agents at the point of discovery -- a shifting endpoint where brands should rethink how they appear or integrate into agent-driven search experiences.
Reddit expands AI-powered search to five new languages
Reddit Answers is launching in French, German, Spanish, Italian and Portuguese -- powered by a Google AI model. The chat-style Q&A now sits alongside Reddit’s core search.
Week of October 13
YouTube dominates AI search with 200× citation advantage
The impact? Platforms like TikTok or Vimeo may struggle to get surfaced by AI tools unless they adapt their formats or metadata.
Google will let you hide sponsored results in search
Users can now collapse “sponsored” blocks they’ve seen. The TL;DR? Organic answers become even more important.
Week of October 6
Perplexity’s Comet browser is now available to everyone for free
Comet puts AI at the heart of the browsing experience – making agentic AI a fundamental part of the digital journey instead of an add-on or opt-in feature.
What OpenAI’s research reveals about the future of AI search
AI search has become ChatGPT's primary use case, with mass adoption projected for mid-2026.
Week of September 29
OpenAI launches Instant Checkout in ChatGPT
Instant Checkout debuts in partnership with Etsy and Shopify — and it’s (yet another) sign that AI is collapsing the funnel into direct commerce.
Google AI Mode: agentic reservations now opt-in in the U.S. via Search Labs
AI Mode can now book tables directly via partners like OpenTable and Resy. Agentic AI isn’t on the way; it’s here.
Week of September 22
OpenAI and Databricks strike $100 million deal to sell AI agents
The agentic AI race continues to heat up. The deal is set to make it easier for businesses to build artificial intelligence agents.
Google Search Live is live in U.S., with voice and camera AI mode
The full rollout serves as another reminder: it’s time for marketers to rethink how they earn visibility beyond just traditional SERP links.
Week of September 15
This is how people are really using ChatGPT
People aren't just dabbling with AI tools anymore; they're depending on them for a range of needs. Dive into our coverage below of the recent NBER findings.
Google rolls out new AI marketing tools for holidays
There will be new opportunities for brands to appear in complex, multi-intent searches, explained Dan Taylor, vice president of global ads at Google.
Week of September 8
Apple developing “World Knowledge Answers” AI search for Siri
Apple continues its AI push, building a multimodal AI search within Siri — that may in fact leverage Google’s Gemini.
Microsoft and Cloudflare collaborating on answer-engine infrastructure
New open standards enable websites to provide instant AI responses, potentially bypassing Google.
Week of September 1
Deepseek preps AI agent for end-2025
The agentic AI race continues to heat up — this time with China’s Deepseek entering the mix.
Week of August 25
Google AI Mode to book restaurant tables — soon concert tickets, too
The move is another sign that search is moving from just finding information to enabling actions (like purchases). Brands must prepare for the agentic era.
Perplexity launches Comet Plus with publisher revenue-sharing
The decision establishes a (potential) ethical compensation model. Will others follow suit?
Week of August 18
ChatGPT-5 now connects to gmail, calendar, and contacts
GPT-5 is integrating more context by making (previously) behind-the-scenes interfaces discoverable.
Google Gemini adds personalization from past chats
Similar to the GPT-5 news above, Google’s update signals a shift towards a more personalized AI search future.
Week of August 11
Google commits $9 billion to expand AI and cloud infrastructure
The move signals Google’s long-term commitment to scaling AI capabilities — especially for high-demand tools like generative search and digital assistants.
AI startup Perplexity makes bold bid for Google's Chrome browser
Though speculative, the move signals Perplexity’s ambition to break into core user journeys and challenge traditional search infrastructure.
Week of August 4
Google adds video, file upload, and screen search capabilities to AI Mode
These new features in AI Mode let users engage via live camera input, upload PDFs, and ask about what’s onscreen — enhancing context and improving results in conversational search.
ChatGPT to test built-in checkout for agentic shopping
OpenAI is piloting a payment system that lets users complete purchases directly inside ChatGPT, turning its AI assistant into a more transactional, agent-like experience.
Reddit positions itself as a search engine
With 70M+ weekly native search users and rising adoption of its AI-powered “Reddit Answers,” the platform is investing heavily in turning high-intent Google queries (like “best credit card Reddit”) into logged-in, on-site discovery. It’s a strategic shift from being a place users stumble into — to being where the search starts.
Week of July 28
OpenAI launches a general purpose agent in ChatGPT
The move marks another big step forward for agentic AI, which may soon become a part of millions of daily customer journeys. (Psst: ChatGPT just hit 700 million weekly active users.)
Google tests a new AI search experiment
The SERP evolves again: check out Google’s Web Guide, an experimental AI feature that clusters search results into topic groups, in Search Labs.
Week of July 21
Perplexity is in talks with phone makers to pre-install Comet AI mobile browser on devices
The move could boost Perplexity's reach by capitalizing on browser "stickiness" — and further cement AI search as a daily consumer reality.
Google users are less likely to click on links when an AI summary appears
In a world of reduced link clicks, marketers must optimize for visibility within the AI overview itself.
Week of July 14
OpenAI working on payment checkout system within ChatGPT
The move would allow users to complete purchases without leaving the chat interface. The impact? Website clicks could decline as people embrace end-to-end AI experiences.
Google’s AI can now make phone calls for you
The feature, now available in Search, further blends AI into everyday mobile interactions.
Week of July 7
OpenAI to release web browser in challenge to Google Chrome
This major move could transform online search by integrating conversational interfaces and automation tools. It could also disrupt Google’s dominance.
Google Ads data shows query length shift post-AI Mode
It’s not just where people search but the way they search that’s changing in the AI era.
Week of June 30
Google Ads rolls out “AI Max” search match type in Search Term report
The move gives marketers a new layer of visibility into performance data that previously lived in a black box.
Instagram Expands Its Reach with Google
Instagram will make it easier for public photos and videos to be directly indexed by search engines like Google. The takeaway? Social media will matter even more for brand visibility.
Week of June 23
As Google shifts to AI search, legacy SEO faces a new reality
The future isn’t about ranking pages. It’s about creating a notable, trustworthy brand that gets cited and mentioned.
YouTube adds an AI Overviews-like search results carousel
The AI-powered ‘carousel’ will appear in searches related to shopping, places, or things to do. TLDR: it’s another example of how AI is changing (almost) every discovery platform.
Week of June 16
Google adds real-time voice chat to AI Mode with Search Live
A new “Live” feature lets users speak naturally with Google Search and get AI-generated answers on the go, marking another step toward hands-free, conversational search.
ChatGPT Search levels up with vision, voice, and deeper search capabilities
OpenAI’s upgraded ChatGPT Search now handles complex prompts, visual inputs, and real-time web queries, bringing it closer to a true AI search assistant and direct rival to Google.
Reddit rises to #2 source in Google’s AI Overviews
Reddit’s content is now one of the most cited sources in AIO — highlighting a shift toward community-driven answers and away from traditional link-based browsing.
Week of June 9
Apple unveils new AI features at WWDC 25
The updates signal Apple's commitment to embedding AI into everyday user experiences, offering new avenues for customer engagement (and more).
Google’s AI search era is here…
…but its ad business hangs in the balance. Here’s Google's big bet on AI could reconfigure the search landscape for good.
Week of June 2
Claude’s hidden system prompts offer a peek into how chatbots work
The prompts offer insights into how to get the best responses out of chatbots.
Google expands video ads across Search, Shopping, and Image
This opens new opportunities to engage users earlier in the buying journey with immersive, brand-forward content.
AI search ad spending in the US to hit $26bn by 2029, finds report
AI's share of total search ad spending is predicted to jump from 1% to 13.6%, driven by rapid technological adoption and enhanced targeting capabilities.
Week of May 26
Claude gets a voice with new mobile feature
Anthropic has launched Voice mode for its Claude app, joining other major AI players in enabling natural, spoken conversations with its assistant.
Microsoft pushes agentic AI with 50+ new tools
At Build 2025, Microsoft introduced new AI tools to power the “agentic web,” aiming to make software smarter and more autonomous across search, work, and everyday tasks.
Apple Maps adds expert reviews and rankings
Apple Maps now features expert ratings from sources like the MICHELIN Guide and The Infatuation, bringing more curated and credible results to local search.
Week of May 19
OpenAI acquires startup to build AI-native devices
OpenAI is betting on a post-smartphone future with its acquisition of Jony Ive’s design team — signaling a shift toward devices built for AI-first interaction over traditional search.
Google rolls out AI Mode to all U.S. users
Google’s new AI Mode adds a dedicated tab with deeper search, personalized answers, and agentic features — marking a major shift toward AI-first discovery.
Week of May 12
Gemini expands across Android devices
Gemini is now built into more Android devices — like watches, cars, and TVs — turning even more devices into AI-powered assistants for everyday life.
Perplexity taps PayPal to power agentic AI commerce
Perplexity will soon let users book, buy, and check out in chat — bringing agentic AI to life by turning questions into transactions, powered by PayPal and Venmo.
TikTok adds AI image-to-video tool for Stories
This new feature lets users animate photos into short videos, turning static visuals into dynamic, AI-native content.
Week of May 5
Google is putting AI Mode right in Search
Instead of a page of URL results, Google’s AI Mode will answer questions with an AI-generated response. Think of it as Google’s (continued) answer to Perplexity and OpenAI.
Google places ads inside chatbot conversations with AI startups
Google has started showing ads within the flow of chatbot conversations — a bid to keep its edge in digital advertising as generative AI takes off.
Apple plans to add AI-powered search options to its Safari browser
Google remains the default search engine in Safari, but Apple’s move to test alternatives like OpenAI and Perplexity on iPhones points to a future where search is no longer one-size-fits-all.
Week of April 28
OpenAI rolls out new shopping features with ChatGPT search
In a huge step forward for the link between AI platforms and real-world purchases, users will now receive direct, tailored product recommendations when they ask specific questions.
Yelp debuts AI voice agents for restaurants and service providers
In yet another sign that agentic AI is the future, Yelp will deploy AI-powered “voice agents” to help service providers and restaurants handle calls, answer basic questions, and more.
Week of April 21
ChatGPT search has 41 million average monthly users in EU
The growth is a clear sign to EU brands that they need to understand how (or whether) their content is being surfaced in AI-generated responses.
Google Gemini has 350M monthly users, reveals court hearing
All companies tend to measure MAUs slightly differently, but these numbers do indicate just how widespread Gemini’s adoption is.
Week of April 14
OpenAI is building a social network
The move illustrates the continued diversification of social platforms and discovery methods.
ChatGPT’s memory can now reference all past conversations
OpenAI is slowly rolling out better memory on ChatGPT. It’s a win for user convenience — but some customers have concerns.
Meta to start using European user data for AI training
The company will begin to use EU user data to train its AI in a bid to deliver better experiences — but citizens can opt out as they choose.
Week of April 7
Google’s AI Mode can now see and search with images
Google’s AI Mode can now see and search with images
Open Deep Search arrives to challenge Perplexity and ChatGPT Search
For enterprises looking for customizable AI search tools, ODS may offer a compelling alternative to closed commercial solutions.
Week of March 31
Data shows Google AIO is citing deeper Into websites
To take advantage, brands need to focus on creating deeper, more specific site content.
ChatGPT revenue surges 30% — in just three months
Take it as a sign that the AI race has become more than a battle for the top model: distribution, user base, and experience all play a big role.
Week of March 24
Google releases ‘most intelligent model to date,’ Gemini 2.5 Pro
Koray Kavukcuoglu, CTO at Google DeepMind, said that Gemini 2.5 represents the next step in Google’s goal of making “AI smarter and more capable of reasoning.”
OpenAI upgrades its transcription and voice-generating AI models’
The models fit into OpenAI’s broader “agentic” vision: building automated systems that can independently accomplish tasks on behalf of users.
OpenAI Rolls Out GPT-4o Image Creation
The feature is available to all ChatGPT users, including those on free plans.
Week of March 17
Google tests AI Overviews In Germany, Switzerland, Italy & more
No word on when AI Overviews will “officially” launch in the above countries, but this week’s test showed that the AI search era is officially on in Europe.
How to integrate GEO with SEO
The days of simply ranking high and earning clicks are fading and being replaced by a zero-click reality where the search journey is fragmented across multiple touchpoints.
Week of March 10
Gmail gains an ‘Add to calendar’ button, powered by Gemini
Gemini will automatically detect calendar-related content in an email — a small update that signals the growing shift to agentic AI.
Manus probably isn’t China’s second ‘DeepSeek moment’
According to reports on social media, the platform uses a combination of existing and fine-tuned AI models, including Anthropic’s Claude.
Deepgram Nova-3 Medical: AI speech model cuts healthcare transcription errors
As electronic health records and digital health platforms become increasingly prevalent, the demand for reliable AI-powered transcription has never been higher.
Week of March 3
Google upgrades AI Overviews with Gemini 2.0
The search giant is also launching “AI mode,” an option for “power users” who want AI-powered responses for a broader range of search queries.
Everything you need to know about Alexa+
Amazon's new Alexa+ service is smarter, more natural sounding, and more capable than its current state.
Week of February 24
Google Maps expands detailed review questions
Insiders at Google have indicated that new attributes could directly influence Ask Maps questions.
ChatGPT referral traffic to publishers remains minimal
Another reminder that AI search means more direct answers — and less need for users to click through elsewhere.
Google tests Nearby Events and Deals local search feature
This feature offers a chance for local businesses to boost conversions.
Week of February 17
Goodbye clicks, hello AI: zero-click search redefines marketing
The rise of AI search means answers are delivered directly on results pages — removing the need for users to click through to another site.
Google makes visual search tool available for iPhones
AI-driven visual search is changing how customers shop. In the near future, expect more people to use images to find products intuitively.
Week of February 10
LinkedIn is testing an AI tool that could transform how people search for jobs
AI comes to the job search: the tool could help users discover new roles they might have missed in the typical search process.
Google Search testing ‘AI Mode’
It’s a new way to search by asking more open-ended and exploratory questions, with the option to follow up. Competition with SearchGPT, anyone?
Week of February 3
OpenAI drops sign-in requirement for ChatGPT search
ChatGPT Search is now fully open to everyone — no account needed. Users can access AI-powered web search without signing up.
Google Search launches Ask for me
A new Search Labs experiment signals a step forward for agentic AI: Google AI calls businesses to find out what they charge for a service and when it’s available.
Google adds WhatsApp Chat to GBP
Businesses with a claimed and verified Business Profile can add a WhatsApp or text messaging option, opening up new ways to connect with customers.
Week of January 26
OpenAI launches Operator, an AI agent
It’s a big step forward for agentic AI: Operator can perform tasks like ordering groceries or booking travel, improving efficiency for users and opening new engagement opportunities for brands.
Introducing Citations on the Anthropic API
The new feature aims to boost trustworthiness and accountability for applications like document summarization and complex Q&A.
What to know about DeepSeek and how it’s upending AI
The Chinese AI startup has developed a chatbot that appears to rival leading models like ChatGPT, achieving this with significantly fewer resources and at a fraction of the cost.
Week of January 20
Perplexity launches Sonar, an API for AI search
Now, enterprises and developers can build the startup’s generative AI search tools into their own applications.
Microsoft opens testing for Windows AI search
The tech uses semantic indexing to let users search for local files using more casual language.
Microsoft-backed firm Mistral sees the world moving beyond AI models this year
The future of AI will be “systems” that are connected to data and able to act in an agentic way, Mistral’s CEO predicts.
Week of January 12
ChatGPT becomes more Siri-like with new scheduled tasks feature
With “Tasks,” users can manage calendar reminders and streamline tasks across various applications.
Agentic AI will change everything – including marketing
Agentic AI doesn’t just predict or create, it acts. Tell it to plan a beach vacation and it doesn’t just give a list of options – it books the flights.
Gartner predicts mobile app usage will decrease 25% due to AI assistants by 2027
“CMOs should begin scenario planning for the impacts of decreased mobile app usage," said Emily Weiss, Senior Principal for the Gartner Marketing Practice.
Week of January 6
AI means the end of internet search as we’ve known it
The biggest change to the way search engines have delivered information to us since the 1990s is happening right now. AI-driven search is here to stay.
Google predicts the future of AI agents: Five lessons for brands
AI agents are on the rise. Here’s what you should know.
Microsoft: 6 AI trends you’ll see more of in 2025
In 2025, AI will evolve from a tool for work and home to an integral part of both.
Week of December 30
OpenAI advances LLM safety
OpenAI’s "deliberative alignment" strategy trains o-series models to reason over safety specifications, enhancing their ability to handle malicious prompts and respond safely.
ChatGPT vs. Google: Who wins in search?
An analysis of 62 queries reveals that ChatGPT search excels in content gap analysis and disambiguation queries while Google outperforms in commercial and local searches.
Week of December 16
Google launches December 2024 core update
The latest update signals Google’s ongoing push to refine search algorithms, impacting visibility and rankings across the web.
Level up your AI game with 24 tips from 2024
From saving time and planning smarter to learning faster and creating with ease, discover Google’s top AI-powered tricks to help you make the most of the year ahead.
Google DeepMind unveils Gemini 2.0
Google's newest AI model can create images, videos, and audio, while also using tools like Google Search. It’s designed to think, plan, and act like a smart assistant.
ChatGPT search adds voice queries and mobile maps
OpenAI updates ChatGPT Search with voice search, global access for free users, and mobile integration with Apple and Google Maps for real-time local results on restaurants, stores, and nearby activities.
Week of December 9
OpenAI releases Sora, its buzzy AI video-generation tool
With Sora, the maker of ChatGPT is looking to compete with video-generation AI tools from companies such as Meta and Google.
Siri finally gets local search
Now that ChatGPT has been added to Siri as part of iOS 18.2, we're likely to see a significant increase in Siri usage, a good portion of which will be local.
Meta unveils a new, more efficient Llama model
Competition in the AI space continues to heat up with Meta’s latest announcement.
Week of December 2
Surprising data: 15% of Google searches are driven by only 148 terms
Most of the top terms are navigational, like 'near me.' For brands, nailing local search optimization is still critical to staying visible where it matters most.
Amazon announces its own set of Nova AI models
With its own models, the tech giant is officially stepping into the AI spotlight to compete with OpenAI and Google.
Apple says it uses Amazon’s custom AI chips
It’s a sign that collaboration — not just competition — is shaping the future of AI.
Week of November 25
Amazon to invest another $4 billion in Anthropic, OpenAI’s biggest rival
The partnership not only accelerates the development of Anthropic's AI models but also integrates them into AWS's ecosystem. This positions Amazon as a major player in advancing AI technologies.
Threads tests AI-powered trending topic summaries and new search tools
Users can now search for date-specific and account-specific post searches, plus AI-powered summaries to enhance user engagement with trending discussions.
Week of November 18
Perplexity’s AI search engine can now buy products for you with one click
By integrating shopping directly into AI search, Perplexity’s update challenges “traditional” platforms, signaling a major shift in how customers find and buy products.
Reddit introduces AI features to help brands show more relevant ads
Reddit is using AI to better understand what people in its communities are talking about — and help brands get their ads in front of the right people at the right time. These contextual opportunities could challenge other social media platforms in the digital ad space.
Google’s Gemini chatbot now has memory
Similar to ChatGPT, Gemini can now add context to conversations with users. For example, tell Gemini to remember foods you like, and the next time you ask for restaurant recommendations, it can tailor suggestions based on your prior inputs.
Week of November 11
Soon you may be having conversations with Google Search
Google is testing a voice-to-search feature that allows real-time, conversational follow-ups directly in Google Search. Users can ask follow-ups without retyping, and Google responds with links and AI-generated summaries.
ChatGPT monthly usage now rivals Google Chrome
The use of generative AI tools is growing quickly, with ChatGPT leading with 3.7 billion visits — already surpassing Google Chrome.
Nearly half of customers are turning to AI to find brand information
Yext's latest research reveals that while traditional search engines are still popular, customers often use multiple sources to find information about your brand.
Week of November 4
ChatGPT Search is now out of beta
No more switching to search engines — ChatGPT is now a one-stop tool for AI answers and up-to-date info.
Meta is reportedly working on its own AI-powered search engine, too
The search engine would reportedly provide AI-generated summaries of current events within the Meta AI chatbot.
Apple Intelligence has launched on the iPhone, iPad, and Mac
The first set of features includes smarter notifications, a more capable Siri, and tools for rewriting text. It’s Apple’s first major AI push, but it’ll be far from its last.
