SearchGPT vs. Perplexity vs. Google, should be quite a contest.
At Faber Cre8tive, we’re all about cutting through the noise to deliver what sparks joy and results. So, let’s dive into this epic search engine showdown, unpack the vibes, and figure out who’s got the edge in 2025. Buckle up—this is gonna be a wild, witty, and wisdom-packed ride!
Search engines are the internet’s front door. They’re how we find recipes, stats, memes, or that obscure academic paper your boss swore was “game-changing.”
In North America, search is a $100-billion-plus market, with Google hogging over 90% of it, according to Statista. But cracks are showing in the giant’s armour.
AI-powered upstarts like SearchGPT and Perplexity are shaking things up, promising faster, smarter, and chattier answers.
For marketers in Canada and the U.S., picking the right tool isn’t just about convenience—it’s about staying ahead in a game where visibility is everything.
“The future of search is not about links; it’s about understanding intent and delivering answers like a friend would.”
– Neil Patel, digital marketing guru
Let’s break it down, eh? Each player brings something unique to the table, but who’s got the maple-syrup-sweet spot for your marketing needs?
Google’s been the king of search since dial-up was a thing. With 8.5 billion daily searches (that’s more than the population of Earth!), It’s a cultural juggernaut. Its algorithms, powered by AI like Gemini, churn through a mind-boggling index of trillions of pages.
Google’s AI Overviews, launched in 2024, sprinkle summarized answers atop traditional links, blending old-school reliability with new-school flair. For marketers, Google’s ad ecosystem—think Google Ads and Analytics—is a goldmine, offering laser-targeted campaigns and juicy data insights.
For complex queries, you’re often left clicking through a dozen tabs, which ain’t nobody has time for. Privacy’s another sore spot. Canada’s Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) and the U.S.’s California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) demand transparency, but Google’s data collection still raises eyebrows.
A 2023 study from the University of Toronto found 68% of Canadians worry about how their search data is used.
Enter Perplexity, the San Francisco-based “answer engine” that’s like having a PhD student on speed dial. Launched in 2022, it’s got 10 million monthly active users and a $3-billion valuation as of Q3 2024. Perplexity doesn’t just toss you links—it crafts concise, fact-packed answers with citations, pulling from real-time web data. Think of it as a trusty guide who’s always got a bibliography handy.
Perplexity’s “Shop Like a Pro” feature is dipping toes into e-commerce, but it’s no match for Google Shopping’s polish yet. Plus, its reliance on external LLMS (like GPT-3.5) raises questions about long-term scalability.
SearchGPT, OpenAI’s shiny new toy, burst onto the scene in 2024 as a prototype and went public as ChatGPT Search by October. Built on GPT-4o, it’s like chatting with a super-smart buddy who scours the web for you. With 200 million weekly ChatGPT users, OpenAI’s betting big on stealing Google’s crown. SearchGPT delivers conversational answers with inline citations, aiming to cut through the clutter of traditional search.
Legally, OpenAI’s playing nice with publishers under the U.S.’s Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA), but concerns linger about content attribution, much like Perplexity’s past controversies. Also, it’s $20/month for Plus users, with free access rolling out slowly.
So, you’re crafting a campaign for a craft brewery in Kelowna or a tech startup in Boston. Which search engine’s your wingman? Let’s get real:
We at Faber Cre8tive ran a quick experiment (because who doesn’t love a good showdown?). We asked each engine: “What’s the top marketing trend in Canada for 2025?” Here’s the scoop:
No single engine is the golden goose. Google’s your trusty steed for broad reach and ad muscle. Perplexity’s the nerdy genius for research-heavy tasks. SearchGPT’s the cool kid for creative, conversational wins. For North American marketers, blend them like a perfect poutine: Google for fries (foundation), Perplexity for cheese curds (substance), and SearchGPT for gravy (flair).
“The best tool is the one that fits your question. Search is evolving, and so must we.”
– Sundar Pichai, Google CEO
The search war’s heating up, and we’re here for it. Google’s doubling down on AI, Perplexity’s eyeing ad revenue, and SearchGPT’s poised to shake the ChatGPT ecosystem. For Faber Cre8tive, staying nimble means using all three to craft campaigns that pop.
Want to chat about how these tools can supercharge your next big idea? Hit us up! Let’s make some marketing magic!
