AEO · AI search · 4 min read

AI-search referral traffic is real but small

We've measured. Here's the number.

Across our client portfolio in Q1 2026, ChatGPT + Perplexity + Google AI Overviews drove 2.4% of organic referral traffic on average — up from 0.3% a year earlier.

Two percent isn't 'AI search has replaced Google'. It's the new bottom rung of a meaningful channel. The compounding rate (8× year-over-year) is what makes it strategic.

Invest like the channel is 10% of traffic in 18 months. Don't invest like it's 50% tomorrow.

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