Most Australians use search engines about as much as they did a year ago

The March 2026 Brand Tracker surveyed 1,351 Australian adults with an extra question on search engine usage. Conjointly found that most Australians are searching just as much as ever, with 71% saying their search habits are unchanged from a year ago.

Those searching more (23%) outnumber those searching less (7%) by 3.4 to 1, with under-30s leading the growth at 31% vs just 17% of over-55s.

There’s been a lot of talk about AI tools like ChatGPT replacing Google, but the search channel is still going strong.

Overall results

71% of Australians use search engines about the same as a year ago.

Results by segment

Under-30s are nearly twice as likely to be searching more than over-55s (31% vs 17%). Those using search more outnumber those using it less by 3.4 to 1. Gender makes little difference, men and women both sit at 22–23% more.