Artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming an integral part of people’s lives. According to a new report by YouGov, artificial intelligence (AI) has become a trusted platform for Indians to search for information online. AI assistants are enhancing search engines rather than replacing them. According to the report, “How AI is Changing Online Discovery in 2026,” 60% of people in India now start their day by using some form of AI assistant to search for information on the internet. This demonstrates the growing need for this technology in everyday life. Overall, 89% of online searchers in urban areas in India use some form of AI assistant to find information, making India one of the fastest-growing countries adopting AI-assisted search.
This trend is particularly pronounced among younger users. According to the report, 67% of Gen Z and 65% of Millennials use AI assistants daily for at least one new search. However, this number is only 30% among older adults. However, the results indicate that AI has not replaced search engines.
Only 27% of AI users consider AI their primary source for online search, while 36% use it after first obtaining information from a search engine or other source, and 26% use it alongside several other sources of information.
In general, nearly one-third (33%) of users click on a link provided by an AI assistant, while 19% compare the information to other websites before taking action.
Meanwhile, 28% of people say they usually stop searching after receiving an answer from AI. This shows that AI is increasingly able to directly address people’s information needs.
Three-quarters (75%) of AI users in India say they use AI assistants more today than they did a year ago, and 68% expect their use to increase over the next 12 months.
This research points to a search ecosystem where consumers constantly switch between AI assistants, search engines, websites, social media platforms, and marketplaces before making decisions.
For Indian users, the biggest advantage of AI is its speed and convenience.
Nearly half (49%) use AI assistants to get direct answers to questions, while 44% rely on them to verify information from other sources.
Meanwhile, 43% use AI to create content summaries, and the same number use it to compare products, services, or options before making decisions.
Although 69% of online searchers in India say they trust information provided by AI assistants, their trust is slightly lower compared to search engines and maps.
People said the most important factors for increasing trust are that answers are based on authoritative sources and multiple references, and that AI clearly explains how answers are generated.
Edward Hutasoit, General Manager of YouGov India and Indonesia, said, “The search box is one of the most familiar interfaces on the internet. AI assistants are changing this approach. They provide direct answers, not just direct people to where they can find the answers.”