# AI is fueling Google search growth Sundar Pichai reveals AI features boosted search queries and revenues significantly. - **Source:** [Business Insider](https://www.businessinsider.com) - **Published:** 2026-07-23 - **Topic:** [Business](https://brifing.si/c/business) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/bdf70982-a09c-468d-903c-713f1eebc1f5 ## Search surge with AI Google CEO Sundar Pichai announced AI-powered search features drove record query growth. The 2023 World Cup saw historic peak search traffic, demonstrating users turn to Google during key moments. Tools like AI Mode have reached 1 billion monthly active users since global expansion last October. ## 17% revenue jump Alphabet's quarterly report shows search revenue grew 17% thanks to AI tools. Total revenue of $119.8 billion marks 24% YoY growth. As Google's third-highest revenue generator after ads and services, search remains a cash cow, proving its continued dominance in the digital landscape. ## Publisher traffic concerns Google's AI Overviews satisfy users with direct answers, reducing need for traditional websites. Many publishers report traffic declines as AI scrapes content without attribution. However, Google claims its AI features still drive billions of weekly clicks to external sites, maintaining some web ecosystem balance. ## World Cup impact Pichai noted observing AI Mode's effectiveness during June's World Cup. Football fans' real-time information needs through AI-powered live scores created record search traffic. This demonstrated how users increasingly rely on Google for momentous events, with AI enhancing instant access to crucial updates. ## Investor reaction Despite positive earnings, Alphabet's stock dipped 1.24%, reflecting investor caution about AI's long-term implications. The company pledged continued AI investments to make search more 'helpful and intuitive,' signaling commitment to maintaining its search engine supremacy amid industry transformation. ## Search engine evolution Google's AI integration is transforming traditional search models. One-click answers change information access paradigms while profoundly impacting publishing ecosystems. This growth disproving 'search is dead' claims demonstrates the tech giant's enduring dominance in shaping how the world finds information online. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.businessinsider.com/ai-google-search-bigger-alphabet-earnings-2026-7 — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._