Gartner & Forrester Confirm: Search Engine Volume Drops by 25% as Users Shift to AI Chatbots (ChatGPT/Perplexity/Gemini). "Generative Engine Optimization" (GEO) is the New SEO.

For the first time in 20 years, Google's search volume dominance has cracked. By February 2026, a massive shift in user behavior has solidified:

1. The "Zero-Click" Reality: Users are no longer clicking on "Top 10 Best Face Creams" links. AI Overviews (SGE) provide the summary directly on the result page. Websites relying on generic informational traffic have seen organic sessions plummet by 30-50%.

   
   

2. The New Gatekeepers: Users are asking ChatGPT or Perplexity, "Find me a vegan skincare brand in Turkey that helps with acne." If your brand isn't mentioned in that AI answer, you don't exist.

   
   

3. Ad Costs Skyrocket: With less organic real estate available, the competition for the remaining "clickable" spots has driven CPC (Cost Per Click) up by roughly 20% globally.

At Sellf, we have shifted from SEO to GEO (Generative Engine Optimization). We ensure your brand is cited by the sources that AI bots trust (news sites, expert forums, verified reviews). We don't just rank you on Google; we make sure ChatGPT recommends YOU when asked.