Amidst the dynamic landscape of digital marketing, predictions often emerge regarding the future trajectory of online platforms and user behavior. One such forecast suggested a significant decline in search engine traffic by 25% by the year 2026. However, an examination of current trends reveals a different narrative, particularly concerning the exponential growth of digital audiences.

The data which shows the internet users worldwide is based on passive internet users. The truth is that the number of active internet users is very few in terms of all internet users. You might be wondering about this new terminology, so let me explain in detail:

Passive Internet Users – Passive internet users are those users who use Google just as a passing medium to search for other internet products or services like Facebook, YouTube, and WhatsApp and just move on those platforms.

Active Internet Users – Active Internet Users are those users who use Google as the final destination for their real needs and find alternative solutions given by Google.

Here are some Top Passive Google search Globally –

Ranking	Keyword	Global Search Volume
1	YouTube	1,300,000,000
2	Facebook	799,100,000
3	Whatsapp Web	542,700,000
4	Gmail	400,200,000
5	Instagram	368,300,000
6	Amazon	352,100,000
7	Yandex	177,600,000
8	Hotmail	172,200,000
9	Twitter	164,900,000
10	Yahoo	122,700,000
11	Whatsapp	116,800,000
12	Yahoo Mail	105,900,000
13	TikTok	73,200,000
14	Flipkart	69,300,000
15	LinkedIn	60,000,000
16	Facebook Login	58,100,000
Total =		4,883,100,000

So almost half of Google searches, 4.88 billion from 8.5 billion total searches, are Passive searches.The truth is that the Passive searches should decrease if we have really prudent digital audiences:

The current Passive search scenario shows that the audience is still not well-informed about using digital devices prudently. As half of the searches go through mobile so, these passive searches must decrease over time. There are two reasons behind this –

1 ) Audience Knowledge Graph

Mobile and the Internet are products of the 21st century, and most of the users are adults or middle-aged people. The new generation who is coming into the search pool has well awareness of the internet and mobile. So, the young audience would like to go directly to the particular websites or platform rather than searching it on Google.

2) Digital Device Innovation

Now it is time for Mobile Applications. The new generation of mobile users finds it more convenient to use the Mobile App of that particular product or service rather than searching for it on Google.

Both of these save time for prudent audiences, and it’s very natural in the digital world.

So, the study that shows that 25% search might decrease is actually the diminishing increment of the search volume. Because the searches that must not be on Google will find their particle way, and only real searches will remain with the search engine along with growing users. Another factor in increasing search users is the introduction of Generative AI in search engines. Search engines like Google and Bing have already tested for rolling out Generative AI in their search engine. If they do so, it will increase the overall quality of the search, which will further strengthen the audience’s confidence and trust in the search and pave the way for long-term growth.

So, the future forecast, which shows a decline in search, is wrong and is based on hypothetical data or based on passive internet users. Rather, search engines have huge potential for future growth.