The 5 Leading AI Search Engines
The way we research information online is undergoing another fundamental shift. Just as we grew accustomed to sifting through top results on Google, a host of new AI search tools now provide direct, conversational responses to complex queries, changing how professionals, students, and businesses gather and synthesise information.
Using AI for SEO and research is becoming a necessary step in efficient information gathering. Whilst these tools are powerful, it’s important to remember that they’re still developing; it’s wise to verify sources and cross-reference critical information to ensure accuracy. The best AI tools combine sophisticated language models with real-time data access, offering capabilities that extend far beyond traditional search engines.
In this blog, we’ll explore five leading AI search engines, examining how they research, their limitations, pricing models, and the ecosystems they belong to.
Table of Contents
The 5 Best AI Search Engines
1. Grok (by xAI)
Grok distinguishes itself through direct integration with X (formerly Twitter), providing real-time access to trending topics and social conversations. The tool offers both standard and “fun mode” for varied interaction styles.
How it works: Grok leverages X’s vast data streams alongside web search capabilities, making it particularly valuable for tracking real-time events and getting a temperature check on social sentiment.
Ecosystem & Pricing: Free for all X users. X Premium+ subscribers ($40/month) gain enhanced features including higher usage limits and priority access. Part of the X/xAI ecosystem.
Limitations: Real-time knowledge depends heavily on X platform data, which may introduce social media bias into responses.
2. OpenAI Suite (ChatGPT)
ChatGPT leads AI search with 3.8 billion monthly visits, making it the most popular conversational AI globally. The platform offers web search capabilities alongside its core language model.
How it works: ChatGPT combines large language models with web browsing tools, enabling it to retrieve current information whilst maintaining conversational context across extended discussions.
Ecosystem & Pricing: Free tier available with limited features. ChatGPT Plus for priority access and advanced models. Enterprise solutions available. Part of OpenAI’s broader ecosystem including API access and integration options.
Limitations: Web search isn’t always activated by default, and responses may occasionally require verification for accuracy.
3. Google (Gemini & AI Overviews)
Google combines its dominant search algorithm with AI-powered features through Gemini and AI Overviews, which now appear in 47% of search queries.
How it works: Google’s AI leverages decades of search algorithm refinement alongside new large language models. AI Overviews provide distilled answers at the top of search results, drawing from multiple high-ranking sources.
Ecosystem & Pricing: Integrated free within Google Search and Google Workspace. Premium features available through Google One AI Premium, like Gemini Advanced. Part of the comprehensive Google ecosystem including Drive, Docs, Gmail, and YouTube.
Limitations: Users click on links 46.66% less when AI Overviews appear, though Google reports 10% increased usage for queries showing AI Overviews.
4. Perplexity
Perplexity positions itself as an “answer engine” that provides cited, real-time responses. It’s gained popularity amongst professionals and students for research-focused queries.
How it works: Perplexity searches the web in real-time and provides answers with clear source citations, making it easier to verify information and explore deeper.
Ecosystem & Pricing: Free tier available. Perplexity Pro offers enhanced AI models and unlimited searches along with more detailed research. It is a standalone platform and has API access.
Limitations: Whilst excellent for research, the citation-heavy approach can sometimes make responses longer and more complex than needed for simple queries.
5. DeepSeek
The Chinese AI that gained 277.9 million monthly visits, DeepSeek emerged as a cost-effective alternative with competitive performance on technical tasks.
How it works: DeepSeek uses efficient model architectures to provide strong reasoning capabilities, particularly for mathematics, science, and programming queries.
Ecosystem & Pricing: Free tier available with competitive pricing on API usage. Offers both reasoning and standard modes.
Limitations: As a newer entrant, ecosystem integration remains limited compared to established players. Some concerns exist about data handling given its origins.
AI Tools vs Google Search
Despite the rise of AI search tools, Google maintains approximately 89-90% of the global search market. However, 77% of Americans now use ChatGPT as a search engine, and 24% turn to it before Google for certain queries.
But that doesn’t mean search has fallen by the wayside.
The reality is that most AI tools are trained on information indexed and organised by traditional search engines like Google. These AI models draw from the very content that ranks well in conventional search results, which means that traditional SEO still remains essential.
Whilst the dynamic between AI visibility and traditional SEO is evolving, a well-rounded digital strategy optimises for both.
Building a Future-Ready Digital Strategy
The emergence of AI search doesn’t diminish the importance of traditional SEO, but it does require marketers to augment their content strategies.
At Primal, we’ve helped over 300+ brands navigate this emerging landscape through comprehensive digital strategies that optimise for both traditional search engines and AI platforms. Our AI SEO approach ensures your content remains visible across all search modalities, protecting your content from shifts in consumer behaviour.
We develop strategies that include:
- Content optimisation for both traditional and AI-powered search
- Technical SEO that ensures AI tools can crawl and understand your site
- Authority building that makes your brand citable by AI systems
- Real-time performance tracking across multiple search platforms
As a Google Premier Partner, we understand how search algorithms work, from traditional indexing to AI training data. Whether users find you through Google, ChatGPT, or Perplexity, Primal ensures your brand maintains visibility.
Contact us today for a consultation and discover how the best AI tools and traditional SEO can work together to upgrade your digital presence.
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