Beyond Google: Where People Search for Brands in 2026
Introduction For years, Google was once the starting point for online research. Someone wanted to find a product, service, company or an answer to their question so they used search engines, compare several websites and make a decision. But now, people don’t discover a brand the same way as before. In 2026, the different sources are Google, AI assistants, YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, Reddit, marketplaces, maps, creators, etc. So search is no longer about one particular engine, but rather about visibility in multiple channels. Google themselves describe the customer journey today as a fluid path with customers searching, scrolling, streaming, shopping and more.