Why AI Search Won’t Replace Local SEO, Google Business Profiles, or High-Intent Search — And How Growth Reach Digital Helps You Win In All Three

Introduction: The Myth That “Google Search Is Dead” Is Everywhere — But the Data Says Otherwise

If you’ve spent any time on social media recently, you’ve seen posts claiming:

• “Google Search is dead.”
• “AI search is the only place to get leads now.”
• “SEO is pointless — ChatGPT and Gemini killed it.”

These claims make great content for clicks… but they ignore the real numbers.

Because when you dig into actual search-behavior statistics, local SEO data, and Google’s own reporting, a very different picture emerges:

➡ Google is still the #1 place people go when they’re ready to buy.
➡ Local searches are growing — not shrinking.
➡ AI tools are rising, but mostly for research… not for hiring a business.

And when you’re a small business that needs calls, leads, and paying customers — those distinctions matter.

At Growth Reach Digital, we believe in strategy, not hype.
This article breaks down data-proven insights that show what’s really happening.

1. Online Search Is Growing — Not Shrinking

Despite dramatic headlines, online search volume is not decreasing. It’s actually increasing.

Key Data Points

📌 Google handles over 8.5 billion searches per day

Source: Internet Live Stats
Google’s daily search volume has increased every year for the last decade.

📌 68% of all website traffic still comes from search engines

Source: BrightEdge Research
Even with AI tools growing, search remains the biggest source of web traffic, outranking social media and ads combined.

📌 SEO drives 1,000%+ more traffic than organic social media

Source: Search Engine Journal
Which means even with Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn growing…
Search remains unmatched for demand-driven traffic.

📌 39% of all ecommerce traffic comes from search

Source: Semrush 2024 Ecommerce Study
AI discovery tools aren’t replacing this behavior — not anytime soon.

2. Local Search — The Part That Matters to Small Businesses — Is Booming

This is where most agencies spread misinformation.
They talk about “AI search replacing Google,” but they ignore local intent, which is the #1 indicator of leads.

📌 46% of all Google searches have local intent

Source: Google
Nearly half of all Google searches relate to local businesses.

📌 78% of local mobile searches result in an in-person visit within 24 hours

Source: Google
This is pure high-intent, buyer-ready behavior.

📌 28% of local searches result in a purchase

Source: Google
That means over 1 in 4 local searches turn into revenue.

Nothing in AI search — not ChatGPT, not Gemini, not Perplexity — is currently producing this type of conversion behavior.

📌 Google Business Profiles appear in 93% of local searches

Source: Whitespark Local Search Ranking Report (2024)

This is why optimizing GBP is non-negotiable.

3. Google Business Profiles Are Still One of the Top Ranking Signals

AI search tools don’t use your Google Business Profile to determine who ranks.
But Google does — heavily.

Key Stats

• GBP is the #1 driver of local pack rankings (Whitespark 2024)
• Businesses with optimized GBPs get 5× more calls
• Consumers are 2.7× more likely to trust a business with a complete GBP
• Businesses with GBP photos get 42% more direction requests
• GBP posts increase engagement by over 60% (Google My Business Insights)

AI search tools do not yet factor in GBP signals — which means:

➡ AI search cannot replace local SEO
➡ AI search cannot determine service-area ranking
➡ AI search cannot verify your NAP consistency
➡ AI search cannot produce local map-pack visibility
➡ AI search cannot generate “near me” calls

For any business that needs local customers, Google still owns the funnel.

4. AI Search IS Rising — But It’s Used for Research, Not Buying

📌 AI tools doubled in usage from 14% to 28% in six months

Source: HigherVisibility Search Behavior Study (2024)

Yes — AI search is growing fast.

But here’s the part most “SEO is dead” gurus don’t mention:

📌 Only 12.5% of users go to AI tools for deciding which business to hire

Source: Same study
Most AI users ask questions like:

• “What should I consider when choosing a plumber?”
• “How do solar panels work?”
• “What is the average cost of a marketing agency?”

They do NOT say:

• “Hire a plumber near me”
• “Find me a roofer available today”
• “Show me a Google-verified business in my area”

For those queries?
People still go to:

✔ Google Search
✔ Google Maps
✔ Google Business Profiles
✔ Local Service Ads
✔ Local directories

AI search is research.
Google Search is where the buying happens.