Gen Z is now the most active generation on Search, a trend clearly reflected in the way people across Southeast Asia including Philippines are engaging with the platform. AI is taking Search beyond its foundation of providing information, transforming it into a truly intelligent partner. Powered by Google’s most advanced multi-modal reasoning model Gemini 3.1, Search can have an intuitive, back-and-forth conversation and it will get people’s complex and highly nuanced intent.
As AI natives, this shift resonates with Gen Zs. They are no longer just entering keywords, they are researching, planning, brainstorming, and even having conversations with Search. AI-powered features like AI Mode and Search Live make it faster, more natural, and more intuitive to find and act on information, allowing people to search in multimodal ways including text, voice and visual. As a result, Gen Z has emerged as the most active generation on Search. Signed-in users globally aged 18 to 24 now issue more daily queries than any other age group. Google sees over 5 trillion searches annually with Gen Z driving this growth, showing Search is more relevant than ever.
The Philippines’ young, AI-native population uses Search to expand their world and make decisions they can trust
In the Philippines, this shift is even more undeniable.
The country has one of the youngest, most AI-native populations in the world. Gen Zs lean heavily into Search, with 89% using it every day to make smarter, more intentional choices for a wide array of decisions. From researching on upcoming travel destinations to exploring the latest trends, this generation relies on Search to navigate the journey from curiosity to the final checkout—ensuring that they always make decisions that are guided by the reliable information they find online.
These days, social media might be where Gen Z discovers a trend, but Search is where they deep-dive about it and fact-check it. Instead of simply following a viral hype or long queues, they use Google reviews on Maps to find the truth behind the filter. They rely on Search to look up a brand’s history, find honest feedback, and compare prices to see if a product is actually worth the buzz. Search provides the credibility they need to make a move.
That’s because Search remains grounded in trust. When people use Search to ask questions, Google cross-checks AI responses and provides clickable sources for quick validation.
“As a travel content creator, I use Google Search a lot! I use it for my flights, not just to find a good deal, but to check which ones have less impact on the environment. It’s my way of traveling a bit more responsibly,” said popular Filipino content creator Arshie Larga.
“Plus it is my filter to avoid tourist traps! When I see a viral restaurant or food on social media, I make sure to consult Google Reviews,” he added.
“AI is the best thing that has happened to Search. Today, it can do much more than just provide information. AI is making Search more intelligent so it can converse interactively across formats and provide answers to people’s complex and nuanced questions. In Southeast Asia—home to one of the world’s youngest, most AI-native populations—we are seeing this shift play out in real-time. For this generation, Search has become a constant companion. They are engaging more deeply, visually, and through voice than any group before them. Whether it’s for learning, exploring a personal passion or making a high-stakes purchase, they rely on Search to make decisions they can trust,” said Sapna Chadha, Vice President, Google Southeast Asia and South Asia Frontier
Search is a natural extension of Gen Z fandoms and culture
For Gen Zs, Search is more than a utility. It is a digital home for their daily lives and passions. When it comes to what they love, Google is a natural extension of their fandoms, turning their curiosity into an immersive experience through hidden moments in Search called Easter Eggs.
From interactive trivia quests for icons like Taylor Swift, BTS, and the Southeast Asia Coachella sensation BINI, to adorable viral sensations like Punch the Monkey, Search speaks the language of Gen Zs. More than an intelligent engine, Search is part of the world that Gen Zs love.
Beyond these curated moments, Search reflects the real-time heartbeat of Gen Z culture through Google Trends. When a conversation starts buzzing, Trends allows people to tap into the pulse of the dialogue, providing the insights they need to join in and take action.
For Filipino Gen Z, nothing proved more powerful and buzzworthy than BINI ahead of their historic appearance at this year’s Coachella. “BINI Coachella” reached the top of the trends globally, as their “BLOOMS” fans celebrated the group bringing Southeast Asian Pride to the world stage.
To celebrate this historic momentum, Search on mobile now features a special tribute: searching BINI anywhere in the world triggers their signature ‘Ey’ gesture– the viral ‘hang loose’ write flick symbolizing confidence and positivity. It’s a testament to how Gen Z still trusts Search to open a whole new world of information and immersion for the culture, fandoms, and everything that they’re passionate about.
