2026 SEARCH TRENDS: How Parents Will Find Pediatric Dentists in 2026
In early 2026, Google dominated business searches, although AI platforms like ChatGPT and Gemini (Google’s AI equivalent to ChatGPT) are gaining users for research and discovery. To NO SURPRISE, statistics show that 98% of all people use the internet to find local business information. That’s a huge number and one that simply cannot be ignored. In short, if you are not showing up on the internet, you are not being found.
How people are searching for dentists in 2026:
Google Search & Maps
Between 87% and 88% of consumers use Google (including Google Maps) to find local business/practice information.
46% of all Google searches are for local information. This means billions of local searches occur daily.
Searches for "[product/service] near me" have grown by over 200% in two years.
76% of people who search for something nearby on their smartphone visit a related business within ONE DAY of searching.
88% of users prefer Google Maps, while 12% prefer Apple Maps.
AI Search: ChatGPT & Gemini
AI platforms are growing for research-based, conversational business searching.
62% of people now use ChatGPT or Gemini (Google’s AI) to find a product or service.
As of February 2026, Gemini's mobile app market share grew from 14.7% to 25.2% in one year. In early 2026, Gemini recorded 650 million monthly active users, with 2 billion monthly users relying on it for all their AI Overviews.
As of late 2025, ChatGPT saw over 800 million weekly active users. Around 24% of its usage is for "seeking information" (research, comparisons) as opposed to finding and being directed to a service (i.e. dentist in [city]).
ChatGPT (45.3%) and Gemini (25.2%) are the main AI search platforms, with Gemini growing rapidly due to Google ecosystem integration and due to Google consistently holding the largest market share of all search engines in the world.
“RESEARCHING” VS “SEARCHING” . . . what’s the difference?
In 2026, patients don’t just search—they research, compare, and decide across multiple platforms. To “search” means to ask for something now and to find something or someone specific (i.e. pediatric dentist in [city]). Search results will generate and show a list of pediatric dentists, who have are in searched city, and who have positive website traffic, current website, current and optimized business profile, and a number of crucially-important details that earned these pediatric dentists their top spot on search engines and maps, most often on Google and Google Maps.
On the other hand, “researching” is mostly performed on AI platforms like ChatGPT and Gemini, where people ask for advice, suggestions, and have more of a conversation with AI to evaluate the pediatric dentists to find the (best, most affordable, best reviews, etc.). Often these “researches” include wording such as “tell me which pediatric dentist in [city] takes the best care of his/her patients and who is recommended by parents the most and for what reasons,” whereupon AI will have a conversation back and discuss, rank, and recommend based on the conversation.
IMPORTANT: if your website and blog articles are not optimized for AI, your website and articles will NOT appear in the recommendations suggested by AI.
This is why it is absolutely essential to find a marketing company that positions your practice across:
Google Search (to capture demand of those looking now)
Google Maps (to convert demand of those searching by location)
AI platforms (to influence decisions of those asking for information)
In summary, you need to be optimized across all platforms so you’re not just found—you’re chosen.
Find out your practice’s Rank and Visibility click here
Types of Searches
High-Intent "Near Me" (45-55%): Searching for immediate, local solutions ("dentist near me", "dentist in [town]").
AI Research & Evaluation (20-30%): Using AI tools to compare services, read summaries of reviews, or ask for recommendations ("best and most friendly pediatric dentist in NYC").
Navigational (54%): Searching for a specific, known business/practice name to find hours, location, or website (“[specific name] pediatric dentist”).
Voice Search: 72% of consumers use voice search to find local businesses.
Key Search Percentages Summary (2025-2026)
Local searches on Google Maps - 46% of all searches
Use Google for local search - 92% of all consumers
Local search via Mobile - 60% of total searches
Use AI (ChatGPT/Gemini) for Search - 62% of users
Visit within 24 hours of search - 76% of smartphone users
In summary, for 2026, Google Search is the primary driver of immediate, local, high-intent searches. Google’s Gemini and ChatGPT are increasingly used to compare and evaluate businesses before a final decision.
Google remains the primary platform for business/practice discovery, but search behavior is fragmenting toward map-first and AI-driven platforms.
Platform Usage and Market Share
Google Search: This platform has a global market share of approximately 90%. About 46% of all Google searches have local business intent.
Google Maps: Up to 86% of local searches use Google Maps to find business locations. Roughly 15% of consumers now use Google Maps as their initial choice for local searches, bypassing standard search results.
AI Assistants (ChatGPT & Gemini):
ChatGPT: Holds approximately 89% of all global AI assistant sessions. It handles over 1 billion daily queries.
Gemini: As of early 2026, Gemini accounts for around 15% of the AI assistant market share, but is growing rapidly due to its relationship to Google.
Consumer Adoption: 40% of consumers actively use generative AI during their search process.
Types of Search Behavior
Search methods vary depending on the needs of the user:
Transactional/Immediate ("Near Me"):
"Near me" mobile searches have increased by over 500% recently.
88% of mobile local searches result in a call or visit to the business within 24 hours.
61% of users click on one of the top three businesses in the Google Map Pack.
Research & Information-Gathering:
AI Overviews: 60% of consumers now click on AI-generated overviews within Google Search results.
Reviews: 87% of customers read online reviews before selecting a business, and 75% read at least four reviews before making a decision.
The DenX Group positions you where patients are searching in 2026 — across Google, Maps, and AI platforms like ChatGPT. Whether you choose us or another company, it’s more necessary now than ever to be found across all online platforms. Time is only speeding up, let’s help get you ahead of the race.
HOW IS YOUR PRACTICE PERFORMING? Let’s Find Out
No pressure. Just clarity.
If your site is strong — I’ll tell you.
If it needs work — you’ll know exactly why and how to fix it.
And if we’re a fit, we can build something that actually drives growth.
Brett Parson
CEO, Pediatric Dental Websites & DenX Group
208-403-5045
