AEO Statistics 2026: AI Search Usage, Clicks and Visibility Data
Sourced AEO statistics for 2026: ChatGPT and AI Mode usage, AI Overviews reach, click-through impact, zero-click behaviour and AEO pricing.
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Last updated: 26 October 2026
Quick answer: Key AEO statistics for 2026: ChatGPT reported 900 million weekly active users in February 2026; Google said AI Mode passed one billion monthly users at I/O 2026; AI Overviews reached more than two billion monthly users by mid-2025; Ahrefs found AI Overviews cut the top result’s click-through rate by about 58%; and Pew Research found users clicked a traditional result in 8% of visits with an AI summary versus 15% without.
We collected the AEO and AI search statistics we cite most often with clients, each with its source and date. AI search changes quickly, so check the date on every figure before you use it.
Key takeaways
- Hundreds of millions of people use AI answer engines every week.
- AI summaries reduce clicks to traditional results.
- Fewer sessions continue after an AI summary appears.
- The click impact of AI Overviews grew between 2025 and 2026.
- Visibility inside the answer is now a measurable KPI.
AI search usage statistics
| Statistic | Source and date |
|---|---|
| ChatGPT had more than 900 million weekly active users | OpenAI, reported by TechCrunch, 27 February 2026 |
| Reports in mid-2026 put ChatGPT at or near 1 billion weekly users | Media reports, July to August 2026 |
| Google AI Mode passed 1 billion monthly users | Google I/O, May 2026 |
| AI Overviews had more than 2 billion monthly users | Alphabet Q2 2025 earnings, July 2025 |
Click and traffic statistics
| Statistic | Source and date |
|---|---|
| AI Overviews reduced the click-through rate of the top-ranking page by about 58% | Ahrefs, study of 300,000 keywords, February 2026 |
| The same measure was 34.5% in the earlier study | Ahrefs, April 2025 |
| Users clicked a traditional result in 8% of visits with an AI summary, vs 15% without | Pew Research Center, July 2025 |
| Users clicked a link inside the AI summary in about 1% of visits | Pew Research Center, July 2025 |
| 26% of visits with an AI summary ended the browsing session, vs 16% without | Pew Research Center, July 2025 |
| Pew’s analysis covered 68,879 Google searches by 900 US adults | Pew Research Center, data collected in spring 2025 |
| Gartner predicted traditional search engine volume would fall 25% by 2026 due to AI chatbots | Gartner, February 2024 |
AEO market statistics
| Statistic | Source and date |
|---|---|
| Baseline AI visibility audits typically cost $1,500 to $5,000 | 310 Creative, August 2026 (US market) |
| Entry-level AEO retainers typically cost $1,000 to $3,500 a month | 310 Creative, August 2026 |
| AI visibility tracker entry plans ranged from $29 to $300 a month | Vendor pricing pages, October 2026 |
See AEO pricing and the best AEO tools for detail.
Client results (Digital Tatva)
| Statistic | Source and date |
|---|---|
| Appsrow: 406 AI answer mentions, second of 18 Webflow agencies tracked | ZeroRank tracking, 90 days to 26 October 2026 |
What these statistics mean
- Visibility is shifting into the answer. If clicks fall, being named and cited is how you stay in the buyer’s shortlist.
- Measurement must change. Track mentions and citations as well as rankings. See AEO KPIs.
- Clicks that remain are high intent. Visitors from AI answers often arrive with a shortlist already made.
Want your own numbers? Digital Tatva measures your mention rate, citation share and competitor share across the major AI engines. Book an AEO audit.
Frequently asked questions
How many people use ChatGPT?
OpenAI reported more than 900 million weekly active users in February 2026, and mid-2026 reports put the figure at or near one billion.
Do AI Overviews reduce website traffic?
Studies say clicks fall when AI Overviews appear. Ahrefs measured about a 58% lower click-through rate for the top result in February 2026, and Pew found fewer clicks on traditional results when an AI summary appeared.
How many people use Google AI Mode?
Google said at I/O 2026 that AI Mode had passed one billion monthly users.
Can I use these statistics in my own content?
Yes, with attribution to the original source. Link to the primary study where possible and keep the date.
Sources
- ChatGPT reaches 900M weekly active users, TechCrunch, 27 February 2026
- Google AI Mode passes 1 billion monthly users, reporting Google I/O 2026
- AI Overviews reduce clicks, Ahrefs, February 2026
- Google users are less likely to click on links when an AI summary appears, Pew Research Center, 22 July 2025
- Gartner predicts search engine volume will drop 25% by 2026, February 2024
- AEO Agency Pricing in 2026, 310 Creative, August 2026
Pricing and features are checked at the time of writing and can change. Some links may be affiliate links, which never affect our verdicts.
