Google, which has dominated the search engine market for decades, is facing an unprecedented "entry point crisis." According to the latest survey report from subscription service provider Bango, 72% of ChatGPT subscribers worldwide have set the ChatGPT web version as their default homepage on their mobile or computer browsers.
The "Silent Redefinition" of the Search Landscape
If this data is accurate, it means the logic of search engines is undergoing a fundamental reversal.
Traffic interception: For decades, Google has relied on paying hundreds of billions of dollars annually to Apple to secure its default search status. Now, hundreds of millions of users are proactively bypassing traditional search boxes, making ChatGPT their first stop when exploring the internet.
Antitrust clouds: Google is involved in legal lawsuits alleging illegal maintenance of its search monopoly, and the rise of ChatGPT may directly undermine its monopolistic foundation from the market perspective.
The "Deep Water" Game Between Giants
Despite the entry point interception by ChatGPT, Google has not been idle:
Gemini's counterattack: After Google launched the Gemini3 assistant, the user base of ChatGPT saw a short-term decrease of about 6%.
Apple alliance changes: Google is strengthening "Apple Intelligence" through cooperation with Apple, trying to further dilute OpenAI's market share.
OpenAI's red alert: Faced with increasingly fierce competition, Sam Altman has announced that the company has entered a "red alert" state, striving to solidify its position through iterations of the ChatGPT search function.
Observation: The Struggle for the Definition of Internet Entry Points
Google has long played the role of an internet "landmark," but AI is turning it into an "answer provider." When users no longer need to click on search links to find information, but instead directly communicate with AI to get results, the traditional "search-click" advertising model will face significant challenges.
