Do People Still Use Search Engines

Are SEO and Google “a thing of the past”?

No. They’re changing fast (more AI answers, more “zero‑click” SERPs), but search engines—especially Google—are still heavily used, and Google is still the dominant search engine worldwide.

StatCounter’s worldwide data for Jan 2026 shows Google at roughly:

• Mobile: 94.46% search engine market share
• Desktop: 82.72% search engine market share
  Sources: StatCounter (Mobile), StatCounter (Desktop), StatCounter (All devices)

I displayed a chart above using those StatCounter shares (desktop vs mobile vs all devices).

“Where are people doing the most searches” (online vs phones)?

Interpreting your question as “which search engines people use most”:

• On phones, searches are overwhelmingly happening on Google (mid‑90% share worldwide).
• On desktops, Google still leads, but Bing is meaningfully larger than on mobile (desktop share is commonly ~10% range worldwide per StatCounter), so desktop is the “more competitive” environment.
  Sources: StatCounter (Mobile), StatCounter (Desktop)

What types of searches happen on mobile vs desktop?

Broad pattern: mobile = immediate, local, quick answers; desktop = deeper research, complex tasks, B2B-leaning topics.

A large SISTRIX analysis (billions of searches / many keywords; updated July 2025) highlights examples of intent/topic skew:

• More mobile-leaning: quick-answer queries and SERP features like recipes, featured snippets, calculator-style results
• More desktop-leaning: more complex tasks (they cite examples like booking flights being more desktop-skewed), and B2B topics tending to have higher desktop share
  Source: SISTRIX – mobile vs desktop search distribution & intent

A useful way to apply this for a web design business:

• Mobile-heavy intent you can win: “near me”, “open now”, “call”, directions, quick comparison, quick portfolio scan, “best web designer in [city]”
• Desktop-heavy intent you can win: “web design agency for [industry]”, “wordpress vs webflow for small business”, “website redesign cost”, longer vendor comparisons, proposal/budget research

Where to focus marketing for a web design business (practical priorities)

1) Capture high-intent “hire someone” searches (best ROI)

• Build location + service landing pages (e.g., “Web Design in X”, “Small Business Web Design”, “Ecommerce Web Design”).
• Add proof above the fold: portfolio, 2–3 case studies, reviews, and clear packages.
• Make mobile conversion frictionless: tap-to-call, short form, fast load.

2) Local trust signals (especially if you serve a geographic area)

• Treat your Google Business Profile like a core acquisition channel: services, photos, posts, Q&A, and consistent review velocity.
• Create pages targeting “web designer + city” and “website redesign + city” style intent.

3) Don’t think “SEO vs not-SEO”—think “search surfaces”

Even if AI answers reduce some clicks, people still need a real provider. So optimize for:

• Brand + credibility: case studies, named testimonials, strong “about/process,” real expertise.
• Lead-ready content: pricing guidance, timelines, “what’s included,” comparisons—things buyers search before contacting.

4) Add a fast paid layer while SEO compounds

• Run Google Search Ads on bottom-of-funnel keywords (“web design services”, “website redesign”, “web design company”) and send to dedicated landing pages.
• Use remarketing (display/social) mainly to bring warm visitors back to book a call.

5) Partnerships beat platforms for web design

Referrals often outperform everything for service businesses:

• Partner with IT/MSPs, marketing consultants, photographers, printers, sign shops, copywriters (they touch the same clients).