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# OpenAI Search, Google Share Loss, Yelp Assistant
- URL: https://www.nearmedia.co/openai-search-google-share-loss-yelp-assistant/
- Published: 2024-05-02T18:26:26.000Z
- Updated: 2024-05-02T19:19:43.000Z
- Author: Greg Sterling
- Tags: News

### OpenAI Search Imminent? 

There's been [speculation](https://www.theinformation.com/articles/openai-develops-web-search-product-in-challenge-to-google?ref=nearmedia.co) that OpenAI is preparing a more direct search challenge to Google. That chatter intensified over the past few days, [as the subdomain 'search.chatgpt.com' appeared](https://www.seroundtable.com/openai-to-launch-search-engine-37319.html?ref=nearmedia.co) in server log files. OpenAI is reportedly also hosting an [event on May 9](https://twitter.com/apples%5Fjimmy/status/1785436609095328067?ref=nearmedia.co), ahead of Google's developer conference, where many expect the formal launch of Google SGE. ChatGPT can today search the internet using Bing. But existing analytics data argue ChatGPT hasn't captured much "search" usage. Perplexity.ai is the AI platform that has [most directly positioned itself](https://www.nearmedia.co/perplexity-google-sge-coming-soon-antitrust-conundrum/) as a Google alternative, including the incorporation of Yelp data for local. In a recent [podcast interview](https://www.nearmedia.co/sge-hits-brands-dma-hot-seat-altman-reimagines-search/) OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said, "The thing that’s exciting to me is not that we can go build a better copy of Google search, but that maybe there’s just some much better way to help people find and act on and synthesize information ... I don’t think the world needs another copy of Google." His vision for a next-gen search experience is a hybrid combination of search and LLMs, which is what Google is essentially doing (somewhat awkwardly) with SGE. 

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/03/80/0380d96d-ef7e-450e-96b3-2963e18aaab5/content/images/2024/05/Screenshot-2024-05-02-at-9.53.50-AM.png)

Source: DALL-E

**Our take:**

- For years we anticipated [an Apple search engine](https://www.nearmedia.co/apple-search-redux-assistant-bard-google-ads-useful-50/), only to be repeatedly disappointed. ([Google 'default' payments](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-05-01/google-s-payments-to-apple-reached-20-billion-in-2022-cue-says?ref=nearmedia.co) essentially prevented it.)
- If some sort of enhanced ChatGPT search capability is coming, it probably wouldn't be a stand-alone product. But that's a strategy decision.
- Google's brand has lost its shine for many people. But OpenAI would need to deliver something very strong to compete. Habits are hard to break.

### Data: Google Losing Search Share

We noticed ([via](https://searchengineland.com/did-google-really-lose-search-market-share-to-microsoft-bing-in-april-440098?ref=nearmedia.co) SEL) that Google appears to have lost meaningful search market share in the US. According to [Statcounter](https://gs.statcounter.com/search-engine-market-share/desktop-mobile-tablet/united-states-of-america/?ref=nearmedia.co#monthly-202309-202404), Google had \~87% of search in March but that declined to \~77% in April. At the same time, Bing and Yahoo grew by roughly 5 points each. Globally, Google's share [appears to be down](https://gs.statcounter.com/search-engine-market-share/desktop-mobile-tablet/worldwide/?ref=nearmedia.co#monthly-202309-202404) a more modest 4 points. SimilarWeb doesn't show a similar drop for Google, although the data I saw was from February. We haven't seen any other validation for the accuracy of the Statcounter findings, suggesting it may be a mistake or glitch. Statcounter says on its site that, in generating search market share, it analyzes "every page view [referred by a search engine](https://gs.statcounter.com/faq?ref=nearmedia.co#search-engine-referrals)." And Google just had a very successful first quarter, where it [asserted](https://www.nearmedia.co/google-search-sge-review-response-uplift-end-of-location-intelligence/) that search volumes and engagement were growing. Yet there's [evidence](https://www.nearmedia.co/googles-30-problem-ai-search-marriage-next-sge-mediocrity/) that younger users are transferring some search activity to Instagram and TikTok. There's also anecdotal discussion online of people using ChatGPT (and other AIs) instead of Google in many instances. For example, my Google usage is down perhaps 50%.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/03/80/0380d96d-ef7e-450e-96b3-2963e18aaab5/content/images/2024/05/Screenshot-2024-05-01-at-11.34.55-PM.png)

Source: StatCounter

**Our take:**

- There are three possibilities here: the data is simply wrong, the data is correct or, more likely, there's some "directional" accuracy to it.
- We'll find out soon. Statcounter (and Google) will be compelled to respond once investors get wind of this and demand a response.
- **Update:** Because Statcounter is [measuring traffic referrals](https://twitter.com/dukeo/status/1785850368796303389?s=46&t=49BP272BJJ0MXFQqRl-8XQ&ref=nearmedia.co) it may mean Google is simply sending less traffic to websites rather than losing usage.

### Yelp's New AI Assistant

Over the past few years, Yelp has steadily lost ground to Google in local search. However, [higher CPCs, more ad clicks](https://www.nearmedia.co/google-trial-smb-ai-hopes-yelps-cpcs-up/), broader monetization and cost cutting have [keep the company growing](https://www.yelp-press.com/press-releases/press-release-details/2024/Investments-in-Product-Led-Strategy-Drove-Yelps-Strong-2023-Results/?ref=nearmedia.co). More recently, Yelp has been trying to figure out how to use AI in order to create a differentiated experience. This week it [announced](https://blog.yelp.com/news/spring-product-release-2024/?ref=nearmedia.co) the [Yelp Assistant](https://youtu.be/746cYlUANxo??ref=nearmedia.co), which offers a more conversational and intuitive entry point for Yelp's request for quote (RFQ) system. I assume Yelp has used its historical data to train the assistant on relevant questions to ask by vertical/job type. And it appears to supersede the current wizard-forms that front-end the RFQ system. If it works, it could increase the volume of quotes requested – and revenue to Yelp. This would also represent a different experience from what's offered today on Google. (We don't yet have access and so can't comment on the user experience.) Yelp also announced upgrades to its Fusion API and Guest Manager tool. The Fusion API now includes natural language processing for more flexible search options on partner sites. Guest Manager is a front-of-house restaurant management tool. 

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/03/80/0380d96d-ef7e-450e-96b3-2963e18aaab5/content/images/2024/05/Screenshot-2024-05-02-at-10.37.05-AM.png)

Source: Yelp

**Our take:**

- Services delivers 60% of Yelp's ad revenue; home services is a subsidiary category but probably the biggest revenue driver within "services."
- The current Yelp RFQ process seeks to maximize the number of pros that receive the lead, which isn't always best for the end user.
- Overall, the Yelp Assistant appears to be a smart approach – with the caveat that we haven't used it yet – to competing with Google.

## Recent Analysis

- **Near Media podcast episode 155:** [An interview with Dana DiTomaso: to Google GA4 analytics Hell and back again](https://www.nearmedia.co/ep-155/).

## Short Takes

- Google [paid Apple](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-05-01/google-s-payments-to-apple-reached-20-billion-in-2022-cue-says?ref=nearmedia.co) $20B in **default search deal** in 2022\.
- **Safari browser** [getting AI upgrade](https://appleinsider.com/articles/24/04/30/apple-to-unveil-ai-enabled-safari-browser-alongside-new-operating-systems?utm%5Fmedium=rss&ref=nearmedia.co), including "intelligent search."
- **Amazon's** [generated $11.8B](https://ir.aboutamazon.com/news-release/news-release-details/2024/Amazon.com-Announces-First-Quarter-Results-68b9258cd/?ref=nearmedia.co) in ad revenue in Q1, up 24% YoY.
- Report: tech "[gatekeepers" falling short](https://eutechalliance.eu/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/EUTA-DMA-Concers-on-gatekeepers-compliance-measures-May-2024.pdf?ref=nearmedia.co) on EU **DMA** compliance.
- **Google** showcases new "[shopping destination](https://blog.google/products/shopping/mothers-day-gift-ideas-2024/?ref=nearmedia.co)" via search.
- **Google** now calling SGE content "[AI answers](https://www.seroundtable.com/google-sge-ai-answer-37314.html?ref=nearmedia.co)."
- Google [testing "custom filters"](https://9to5google.com/2024/05/01/google-search-testing-useful-custom-filters-that-you-can-save-to-your-account/?ref=nearmedia.co) for more **search personalization**.
- Some Twitter usage [has apparently migrated](https://techcrunch.com/2024/05/01/linkedin-is-the-twitter-x-rival-no-one-is-talking-about/?ref=nearmedia.co) to **LinkedIn**.
- Americans [want more regulation](https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2024/04/29/americans-views-of-technology-companies-2/??ref=nearmedia.co) of **social media** and big tech.
- **Marie Haynes** [laments the HCU/CU impact](https://www.mariehaynes.com/dear-google-please-do-more-to-help-the-website-owners-impacted-by-hcu-and-march-core/?ref=nearmedia.co) on small sites.
- Split screen: **Google** [revenue growth](https://www.nearmedia.co/google-search-sge-review-response-uplift-end-of-location-intelligence/) vs. [SEO/user dissatisfaction](https://www.growth-memo.com/p/the-big-disconnect?ref=nearmedia.co).
- Sarah Friar out at **Nextdoor**, [co-founder Tolia returning](https://about.nextdoor.com/press-releases/nextdoor-announces-leadership-transition-and-reports-preliminary-q4-2023-financial-results/?ref=nearmedia.co) as CEO.
- How AI may [bring about](https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2024/04/generative-ai-search-llmo/678154/?ref=nearmedia.co) the "**end of the web** as we know it."

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