How Is AI Search Different From Google Search? A Guide for B2B Manufacturers
Quick Answer: AI search tools like ChatGPT and Perplexity give you direct answers with citations, while Google search provides a list of websites. A crucial point: ChatGPT uses Microsoft Bing’s index, not Google’s. For Taiwan manufacturers, this means you need a presence in both systems to effectively reach international buyers.
Table of Contents
AI Search Vs Compared to Google Search
Your company might be a top result on Google, but invisible to international buyers using ChatGPT to find Taiwan suppliers. This is because they’re searching entirely different databases.
| Feature | Google Search (Traditional) | AI Search (ChatGPT, Perplexity) |
|---|---|---|
| What You See | 10 website links | One summarized answer |
| Index Used | Google’s index (400B+ pages) | ChatGPT: Bing’s index (13B pages) |
| Time to Answer | 5–10 minutes | 30 seconds or less |
| Your Goal | Rank in top 10 | Get cited in the answer |
Why This Matters for Taiwan Exporters:
- 90% of B2B buyers now use AI search tools (2025 data).
- Being in Google’s index doesn’t guarantee AI visibility.
- International buyers expect instant answers about capabilities so website content is critical.
Traditional Google Search
Imagine Google as a vast library with an incredibly efficient card catalog. When you search, you’re not getting answers; you’re getting a reading list.
How it Works:
- User Searches: You type keywords like “Taiwan CNC machining.”
- Google’s System: Google has crawled over 400 billion web pages, storing them in its index and ranking results by relevance, authority, and links.
- User Effort: You click 3-5 websites, read multiple pages, compare information manually, and spend 5-10 minutes finding what you need.
Think of it like this: Google is like a librarian handing you a list of books. You have to read them yourself.
Key Facts:
- Google Index Size: 400+ billion pages
- Market Share: 92% of global search
- Update Frequency: Real-time
- Best For: Finding specific company websites
How AI Search Works Differently
Now, picture a research assistant who reads those books for you, highlights key facts, and provides a summary with footnotes. That’s AI search.
How it Works:
- User Asks Question: You ask a full question, like “What tolerances can Taiwan CNC machining achieve?” using natural language, not just keywords.
- AI System Searches: ChatGPT searches Bing’s index (not Google’s), Perplexity searches multiple indexes, and Google Gemini searches Google’s index. It finds 5-10 relevant sources.
- AI Creates Answer: The AI extracts specific facts, combines information from multiple sites, writes a coherent answer, and includes citations.
User Gets Result: You receive one summarized answer with reference links to verify, all within 30 seconds.
Key Points to Remember:
- ChatGPT Uses: Microsoft Bing’s index
- Gemini Uses: Google’s index
- Perplexity Uses: Bing + Google + its own crawler
- Growth Rate: 450% increase in usage (2024-2025)
Traditional vs. AI Search: A Direct Comparison
| Feature | Traditional Search (Google) | AI Search (ChatGPT, Perplexity) |
|---|---|---|
| User Input | Keywords: “Taiwan CNC” | Question: “What tolerances can Taiwan CNC achieve?” |
| User Output | 10 blue links | One answer with citations |
| Clicks Required | 3–5 clicks on average | 0–1 clicks |
| Time to Answer | 5–10 minutes | 30 seconds |
| Index Source | Google’s index only | ChatGPT: Bing / Gemini: Google / Perplexity: Multiple |
| How to Rank | Optimize keywords, get backlinks | Format data in tables, clear facts |
| Best Content | Well-written articles | Tables, specifications, bullet points |
| Mobile Usage | 63% of searches | 71% of searches |
| B2B Relevance | High | Growing rapidly |
What AI Search Actions Should Taiwan Exporters Take?
The path forward depends on your current situation, but one thing is certain: doing nothing is not an option.
54% of B2B decision makers would switch suppliers due to poor-quality digital customer experiences
At Global Sense, our work with Taiwan exporters reveals a pattern. Most have websites that AI search systems simply cannot read. Specifications are locked in image PDF files. Technical capabilities are described in paragraphs or images instead of clear tables. Many aren’t even indexed by Bing, which means ChatGPT will never find them regardless of content quality.
AI Search Optimization – Start with a diagnosis
Ask your digital marketing team to demonstrate your visibility in AI search. Have them open ChatGPT and ask questions your customers would ask. If competitors appear in the answers and you don’t, you have a problem. Check whether you exist in Bing’s index. Many manufacturers have invested years in Google SEO only to discover they’re completely invisible to the fastest-growing search channel.
AI Search Optimization: Decide on investment
It is important to look at your website as the most critical part of your marketing efforts. Trade shows are great but they are short, and visitors will still refer to your website when they are back at their offices after a trade show. You should be investing at least the cost of an international trade show in your digital marketing each year.
But here’s what makes this urgent: being first matters enormously. When ChatGPT finds only three or four well-structured sources for Taiwan manufacturers in your industry, those companies get cited repeatedly. You’re deciding now whether to lose customers to your competitors or not.
At GlobalSense we have decades of experience helping Taiwan manufacturers overcome their digital marketing challenges. We understand the challenges that you face and we provide new and effective solutions to put your company in front of international buyers.
- Owned and run by foreign marketing experts
- International team to support and grow your business
- 20 Years Experience in International B2B Marketing
If you are a manufacturer and you would like a free SEO and AI search consultation to see where your company stands and what you may need to do, then please contact us.
Further Reading:
- International B2B Marketing for Taiwan Manufacturers How to Reach Overseas Buyers in 2025
- Taiwan AI Marketing – Are your customers searching for suppliers on ChatGPT?
- How to Choose the Right Marketing Company in 2025
Glossary
- AI Search: Search tools that provide direct answers using artificial intelligence (e.g., ChatGPT, Perplexity, Google Gemini).
- Index: A searchable database of websites. Google has one index; Microsoft Bing has a separate index.
- Bing: Microsoft’s search engine with 13 billion indexed pages. Used by ChatGPT Search.
- Citation: When AI search mentions your company as a source in its answer.
- ChatGPT Search: AI search feature by OpenAI that uses Bing’s index (not Google’s).
- Perplexity: AI search engine that uses Bing, Google, and its own crawler.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is AI search replacing Google?
No. While AI search is growing rapidly (450% increase 2024-2025), traditional search remains crucial. International buyers use both, so your company needs visibility in both systems.
Why doesn’t ChatGPT find my company when I’m ranked #1 on Google?
ChatGPT uses Microsoft Bing’s index, not Google’s. Being on Google doesn’t guarantee visibility in ChatGPT; you must be in Bing’s index separately.
Which index is more important – Google or Bing?
Both are important. Google holds 92% market share for traditional search, while Bing powers ChatGPT (the fastest-growing search method). You need a presence in both.
Do we need to rebuild our entire website?
No. Focus on three key areas: (1) Get into Bing’s index, (2) Format specifications as tables, and (3) Add FAQ sections. Most sites require updates, not complete rebuilds.
How long does AI search optimization take?
Basic setup takes 2-4 weeks. Getting indexed in Bing takes 1-2 weeks. Seeing results typically takes 2-3 months. This is an ongoing effort, not a one-time task.
How much does this cost?
Costs vary widely. DIY is free but time-intensive. Agency services for initial optimization might range from $2,000-5,000 USD, depending on website complexity.