[chatmasta]

Google Search is a product embedded in the lives of everyone on the planet. I wonder to what extent its growth is a reflection of increasing population and Internet penetration. Even if "competitive knowledge engines" impacted Google Search, the effect would likely be minuscule compared to existing growth trajectories.

Speaking personally, there are some queries where I prefer an LLM. But usually I start with Google, and it's only after 5-10 searches that I get frustrated enough to remember I could just ask ChatGPT instead. So ironically, I actually send more searches to Google than I would have if they gave me the answer on the first one.

I wonder what their search metrics would look like if they removed quick bursts of searches. Presumably, someone searching five times in a row is actually having a bad experience, rather than loving the product so much they came back to it five times in one minute.

[vineyardmike]

> its growth is a reflection of increasing population and Internet penetration

Considering the explicit link their growth opportunity to internet penetration (as does Facebook), I would say its a very strong reflection.

[aworks]

Everyone on the planet? Even in China or Russia?

[harryp_peng]

Google is just good. You use it to get human answer to a question and find relevant information on a topic. Those are of human nature.

[wyclif]

Google used to be good. Now the result you want is sometimes on the third or fourth page. They've cannibalized it.