In a rare addressing recent market speculation, Google has firmly disputed reports suggesting a significant decline in its search traffic from Apple’s Safari browser.

The controversy began after several media outlets reported that Google was experiencing a notable drop in search volume from Safari users, potentially signaling a shift in the search landscape that Google has dominated fo💖r decades.

Google st🌄ated in an official blog post published Thursday:

“We continue to see overall query growth in Search. That includes an increase in total queries coming from Apple’s devices and platforms. More generally, as we enhance Search with new features, people are seeing that Google Search is more useful for more of their queries — and they’re accessing it for new things and in new ways, whether from browsers or the Google app, using their voice or Google Lens. We’re excited to continue this innovation and look forward to sharing more at Google I/O.”

The statement comes amid increasing speculation about the future of Google’s search dominance, particularly as artificial intelligence reshapes how users interact with information online. According to Search Engine Journal, the reports had suggested that Safari users were turning to alternative search methods, including AI-powered tools.

Industry analysts have been closely monitoring the relationship between Google and Apple, which receives billions annually from Google to remain the default search engine on Safari. This arrangement has been a cornerstone of Google’s market dominance, with Safari accounting for a significant portion of mobile search traffic.

Meanwhile, Slashdot reports that Apple may be working to develop its own AI-powered search capabilities, potentially reducing its reliance on Google. “Apple working to move to AI search in browser amid Google fallout,” read one headline, suggesting strategic shifts may be underway at the Cupertino-based tech giant.

The timing of Google’s statement is particularly notable as it follows months of internal concern at the company about the threat posed by generative AI to its search business. According to a post from Tech Insider on Facebook, “Google has been worrying about losing search share to AI engines like ChatGPT for months,” highlighting the competitive pressures facing the search giant.

Google’s search business remains its primary revenue driver, generating billions in advertising revenue each quarter. Any significant decline in traffic would likely raise concerns among investors about the company’s long-term growth prospects.

MacRumors noted that Google’s statement did not provide specific traffic figures or trends, making it difficult for outside observers to independently verify the company’s claims. The publication pointed out that “Google disputes Safari search traffic decline” but offered no counter-evidence beyond the company’s statement.

The search giant has been investing heavily in its own AI capabilities, including the integration of AI-powered features into its search product. These efforts appear aimed at maintaining Google’s relevance as user behavior evolves in response to new technologies.

For now, Google maintains that reports of declining search traffic are unfounded. However, the company’s unusual step of publicly addressing such speculation suggests the sensitivity surrounding any perceived threats to its core business model in an increasingly AI-driven digital landscape.