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The Q4 2025 State of Search from Datos and SparkToro

Rand Fishkin · linkedin.com

Fresh behavioral data on how fast AI tools are fragmenting Google's dominance, straight from the analyst.

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The question it answers

  1. Why does it now matter how ChatGPT and Perplexity describe my startup?

Read with it

  1. The single most-shared founder briefing on AI search, anchored by data showing ChatGPT traffic converts 6x better than Google. podcasts.apple.com Podcast The ultimate guide to AEO: How to get ChatGPT to recommend your product (Ethan Smith) Lenny's Podcast / Ethan Smith (Graphite)
  2. The founder tracking AI answers for 10% of the Fortune 500 explains why brand perception inside models is the new battleground. sequoiacap.com Podcast From SEO to Agent-Led Growth: Profound's James Cadwallader Sequoia Capital / James Cadwallader
  3. Video Aravind Srinivas: Perplexity CEO on the Future of AI, Search & the Internet Lex Fridman Podcast / Aravind Srinivas
  4. A tight summary of why early-stage startups can win AI answers fast, with the 6x conversion stat that woke founders up. x.com Thread AEO is the biggest change in search in over a decade Lenny Rachitsky
  5. G2's buyer data: AI chatbots are now the number one source shaping vendor shortlists. company.g2.com Article In the Answer Economy, Don't Win the Click, Win the Answer G2 Research
  6. Shows 69% of buyers changed vendors based on an AI answer, proof this is revenue, not hype. learn.g2.com Article Your Buyers Are Using AI to Find Software. Here's What They're Trusting. G2
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