Think about the last time you needed to find something online. Did you open Google and type a few keywords, or did you ask ChatGPT, Gemini, or another AI assistant a question? I know my own personal search habits have changed greatly from my own personal use of ChatGPT for researching topics in more detail and exploring interests as well. Still Google is there for me for certain types of searches that I know it can deliver exactly what I want and expect.

For years, searching online followed a familiar routine. You entered a few words into Google, reviewed the results, opened several websites, and tried to find the information you needed.

That routine is changing.

Today, instead of searching for something like "best home heating system," you might ask an AI assistant, "What heating system would be most efficient for a two-storey home in Newfoundland, considering our winters and electricity costs?"

And the conversation doesn't necessarily stop with the first answer.

You might ask about installation costs, compare different systems, explore potential rebates, or narrow your options based on your budget.

We're not just searching. We're exploring.

One of the interesting changes in online search is how naturally people can now ask more detailed questions.

Traditional search engines are still incredibly useful, particularly when looking for local businesses, specific websites, products, or current information. But conversational AI offers another way to research topics that might otherwise require several separate searches.

Even Google has been incorporating AI-generated answers and conversational features directly into its search experience.

Rather than replacing traditional search altogether, AI is becoming another part of how people find, understand, and evaluate information.

What does this mean for businesses?

For businesses, this raises an important question: Is your website providing the information people are actually looking for?

Having a website that ranks for relevant keywords remains important. But it's also worth considering the more detailed questions potential customers might ask before making a decision.

People want to understand their options, compare services, find answers to specific concerns, and feel confident about who they're dealing with.

Clear, informative website content that addresses those needs has value whether someone finds it through Google, an AI-powered search experience, or another online source.

There is also an important distinction between receiving an AI-generated answer and visiting the original source. AI responses aren't always accurate, and checking information directly remains worthwhile.

So, here's a question for you.

Think about how you searched for information a year or two ago compared with today.

Are you still relying primarily on Google? Have you started asking AI assistants more detailed questions? Or do you find yourself using both, depending on what you're trying to accomplish?

The way we search for information is evolving, and it will be interesting to see how our habits continue to change.