Search Engine Share 2025
Overview of Popular Online Search Methods in 2025
As of 2025, the landscape of online searching is dominated by traditional search engines, but there is a notable shift towards alternative methods, particularly among younger users. Below are the key trends and statistics regarding the most popular ways to search online.
Dominance of Search Engines
1. Google
- Google remains the most popular search engine, commanding a staggering market share of approximately 90.48% across all platforms as of August 2025[2][8]. It processes around 63,000 queries per second, making it the go-to platform for most internet users[5].
- Its advanced algorithms and features like personalized results, voice search, and AI tools contribute to its sustained dominance[4][9].
2. Bing
- Microsoft's Bing holds the second position with a market share of about 3.93%. It has seen improvements through AI integrations and is particularly noted for its visual search capabilities[2][6].
- Bing's user base is supported by its integration with Microsoft products, appealing to users who prefer a more visual search experience[9].
3. Yahoo!
- Yahoo! Search, powered by Bing, has a market share of approximately 1.32%. Despite its decline in popularity, it still attracts around 700 million monthly visitors due to its integrated services like email and news[1][5].
4. Other Search Engines
- Other notable search engines include Yandex (1.95%), Baidu (0.79%), and DuckDuckGo (0.64%), each catering to specific regional or privacy-focused needs[2][8].
Shift Towards Social Media and Alternative Methods
- A significant trend observed in 2025 is the increasing use of social media platforms for searching information, especially among younger demographics. Approximately 34% of adults in the U.S. prefer traditional search engines, while 48% primarily use social media or a combination of both methods for their searches[3].
- This shift highlights a growing tendency to rely on platforms like Facebook and Instagram for information retrieval, particularly for lifestyle content and recommendations.
Emerging Search Technologies
- The rise of AI-powered search tools is reshaping how users interact with search engines. Innovative platforms such as Perplexity and Copilot are gaining traction by offering interactive, chat-style experiences that enhance information discovery[9].
- Privacy-focused alternatives like DuckDuckGo and Startpage are also becoming popular as users seek secure browsing options without tracking[9].
In 2025, while traditional search engines like Google continue to dominate the online search landscape, there is a clear trend towards using social media for information retrieval and exploring AI-driven alternatives.
This evolving environment reflects changing user preferences and technological advancements in how we access information online.