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Why Google Continues to Lead in Search Despite AI Advancements

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Why Google Continues to Lead in Search Despite AI Advancements

Google Search Isn’t Going Anywhere — and Here’s Why That Matters

Published: April 9, 2025

Automotive Internet Media | Digital Marketing Agency

Google Search vs. AI Tools

In the era of rapid AI innovation and the growing popularity of tools like ChatGPT, one might expect Google’s dominance in search to be challenged. But the data tells a different story — one that highlights Google search for lasting consumer trust, reliable performance, and ongoing value for marketers.

% of US consumers who use AI chatbots or AI search tools to find out information, by generation, Dec 2024

EMarketer Graph

According to a December 2024 survey from Pearl, conducted by Censuswide and reported by eMarketer, 57.8% of US consumers still prefer to use Google search over AI platforms like ChatGPT when they need a factual answer. That’s more than half of the population choosing Google — not out of habit, but because they trust it for real, reliable information.

Consumers Still Trust Google for Facts

The key takeaway from the survey? When accuracy matters, users turn to Google. Despite the conversational aspect and accessibility of AI platforms, people still see Google as the definitive source for factual information. This trust has been built over decades of delivering relevant, credible results — reinforced by Google’s sophisticated algorithms and its vast indexing of the web.

The fact that people still trust Google says a lot and it’s something marketers should pay attention to.

Google Search Ads Are Not Dead — They’re Essential

With so much buzz around AI, it’s easy to assume traditional digital marketing tactics like search ads are losing relevance. However, it is evident that Google search ads remain highly effective, especially because the platform is still where the majority of users go when they’re actively looking for information.

If your audience is still using Google for answers — especially fact-based or purchase-intent queries — then showing up there through paid ads and organic SEO remains a smart investment. Marketers can use this data to validate an ongoing (or even increased) focus on Google-centric strategies and campaigns.

But Don’t Ignore the Rise of AI Search

While Google continues to lead, the rise of AI tools like ChatGPT, Perplexity, and other answer engines shouldn’t be ignored. The survey chart highlights two key points: Google is still the top choice, but new search habits are forming. As AI tools grow, people are starting to mix traditional search with conversational AI — especially for things like product discovery and more detailed questions. Marketers should take note and start thinking about how to show up on these AI platforms, too.

What This Means for Your Strategy

  1. Keep prioritizing Google SEO – It’s still the most trusted search engine for factual content.
  2. Don’t sleep on search ads – They’re still a crucial and relevant tool for promoting your products and services.
  3. Start integrating AI-aware strategies – Position your brand for visibility not just in Google, but in the growing number of AI-driven platforms.

Final Thoughts

The future of search is evolving, but that doesn’t mean one platform has to replace another. Google isn’t going anywhere, and neither are the search behaviors it’s shaped over the years. Marketers who recognize both the staying power of Google and the rise of AI will be best positioned to thrive in this shifting landscape.

Growing Concerns Over Bot Traffic in Digital Marketing

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Growing Concerns Over Bot Traffic in Digital Marketing

Advertisers Question the Accuracy of Human Verification Systems such as HUMAN Security, Integral Ad Science (IAS) and DoubleVerify.

Published: April 8, 2025

Automotive Internet Media | Digital Marketing Agency

Human Verification Systems

The digital advertising industry faces an escalating challenge with bot traffic, as trusted verification systems—like Human Security, Integral Ad Science (IAS), and DoubleVerify—are not effectively blocking non-human traffic as promised. These platforms, which advertisers pay for pre-bid bot filtration, are failing to prevent ads from being served to malicious bots that may be slipping through the cracks. 

According to AdExchanger, “Adalytics also observed multiple major DSPs and SSPs serving ads to bots, despite claiming to use bot detection tech, including HUMAN Security, to scan 100% of impressions. The scale of potential waste reflected in the report is staggering. Adalytics analyzed source code for millions of ad impressions served to bots between 2019 and 2025.” This highlights the significant volume of ad impressions wasted on bots instead of reaching real human audiences.

Even with advanced bot detection tools like HUMAN Security, verification systems are failing to deliver, causing advertisers to question the effectiveness of MRC and TAG-accredited services. There’s growing frustration over the lack of accountability in the supply chain, especially when advertisers are investing a lot of money into “bot-free” segments, only to find that their campaigns are being contaminated with non-human traffic.

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Tariffs Take Effect Today: What This Means for Car Buyers

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Tariffs Take Effect Today: What This Means for Car Buyers and Owners

Automakers Brace for Impact as Tariffs Begin on April 3rd, 2025

Published: April 3, 2025

Automotive Internet Media | Digital Marketing Agency

Tariffs Affects on Car Buyers

Starting today, April 3, 2025, tariffs on imported vehicles take effect under a policy enacted by President Trump. The administration expresses that these tariffs will encourage automakers to shift production back to the United States, creating new jobs and boosting domestic manufacturing. However, industry analysts warn that the added costs could drive up new car price tags by thousands of dollars for American consumers. 

While the tariffs broadly apply to imported vehicles, certain exemptions exist for cars manufactured in Mexico or Canada, granted they meet the conditions outlined in existing free trade agreements. Additionally, automakers will not face duties on key components—such as engines, transmissions, and batteries—if those parts were originally made in the U.S. and later installed in vehicles assembled in Mexico or Canada. These exemptions may help offset some financial strain on manufacturers, but concerns remain about the broader impact on market stability and vehicle affordability.

Even those who don’t purchase new cars will feel the effects of these tariffs, as the cost of essential auto parts like tires, brake pads, and oil filters is expected to rise. As The New York Times reports, “The 25 percent duty applies to all cars assembled outside the United States. Starting May 3, the tariff will also apply to imported auto parts, which will add to the cost of cars assembled domestically as well as auto repairs.” This means consumers will not only face higher new vehicle prices but also increased service fees and rising costs for imported parts needed for repairs and maintenance. As a result, more buyers may turn to the used car market, increasing demand and driving up prices for pre-owned vehicles, as noted in our previous industry news brief called Tariff Impact on the Auto Industry: Rising Costs and Potential Delays.

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Google’s AI Overviews & AI Mode: How They Affect Your SEO

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Google’s AI Overviews & AI Mode: How They Affect Your Dealership’s SEO

Google’s AI Overviews, formerly known as Search Generative Experience (SGE), launched on May 14, 2024, reshaping search results and negatively impacting organic traffic, conversions, and revenue for businesses, including dealerships.

Now, Google has introduced AI Mode, a new experimental AI-driven search feature. While access is currently limited to U.S. users over 18 who opt in via Labs, it has the potential to impact search rankings and visibility.

Published: Mar. 19, 2025

Automotive Internet Media | Digital Marketing Agency

AI Overviews

About AI Overviews

AI Overviews leverage generative artificial intelligence to deliver quick, interactive responses, improving user experience but diminishing the visibility of traditional organic search results. Here’s how AI Overviews might be impacting your dealership’s SEO:

  • Declining Organic Traffic: AI-generated summaries appear above organic search results, potentially reducing the number of visitors to your website.
  • Lower Search Rankings: Even top-ranked dealership pages are pushed further down as Google prioritizes AI Overviews and paid ads.
  • Rising Advertising Costs: With Google monetizing AI Overviews through new paid ad placements, competition for visibility increases, making it more challenging—and costly—to outrank competitors.
AI Overviews

Adweek.com states “Google launched its artificial intelligence-powered search engine, Search Generative Experience, in beta last May, sending publishers scrambling to prepare for a significant disruption in organic search traffic, with potential declines ranging from 20% to 60%, according to media executives and search engine optimization experts interviewed for this story.” This highlights the significant potential decline in organic traffic that websites may experience due to AI Overviews.

About Google’s New AI Mode

AI Mode

Unlike AI Overviews, AI Mode applies to all search queries, offering broader AI-powered insights. With an interactive chat interface, users can refine their searches and ask follow-up questions—similar to ChatGPT and other AI chatbots. AI Mode is powered by a custom version of Gemini 2.0, Google’s latest AI model.

How We Stay Ahead of the Trends

As AI Overviews and AI Mode change the search landscape and reduce organic visibility, our team at Automotive Internet Media is committed to helping dealerships navigate these shifts. We focus on optimizing for long-tail queries by crafting detailed, authoritative content to improve visibility, enhancing local SEO by strengthening your Google Business Profile, and diversifying traffic sources by expanding your reach through social media and email marketing.

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Tariff Impact on the Auto Industry: Rising Costs and Potential Delays

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Tariff Impact on the Auto Industry: Rising Costs and Potential Delays

Ford, GM, and Stellantis have expressed gratitude to the federal government for postponing tariffs, but it’s evident that they and other automakers are preparing for what’s next.

Published: Mar. 11, 2025

Automotive Internet Media | Digital Marketing Agency

Tariff Affects on the Auto Industry

On March 3, 2025, tariffs enacted by the Trump administration took effect, imposing a 25% fee on all Mexican and Canadian exports and an additional 10% on Chinese goods. However, as of March 5, the White House announced a 30-day pause on tariffs specifically for the auto industry. This temporary hold applies to vehicles complying with the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), including those produced by Ford, GM, and Stellantis. These three automakers expressed gratitude for the 30 day exemption – however this doesn’t mean they are in the clear.

The delay on tariffs raises concerns about the federal government’s push to shift production to the U.S., with some analysts questioning its feasibility. If the tariffs ultimately take effect on vehicle imports in April, automakers are expected to face higher costs, which could be passed on to consumers.

When it comes to car parts, even U.S.-made vehicles rely on components from Canada and Mexico. This dependency could lead to higher part costs and production delays. As Kelley Blue Book explains, “A part will see its price increase every time it crosses a border. That means many cars will see their prices rise by more than 25%. Mexico and Canada may retaliate with matching tariffs, doubling the impact.” With that being said, auto dealers may expect new vehicle prices to rise significantly, prompting potential buyers to act sooner rather than later. Additionally, auto dealers can also anticipate a rise in demand for used cars, leading to higher prices as more buyers turn to pre-owned vehicles instead of new ones.

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