In a significant shift in the digital landscape, Alibaba's AI application, Quark, has introduced a groundbreaking feature known as "deep search" that integrates advanced reasoning capabilities with online search. This innovative update aims to enhance user experience by providing accurate answers to complex queries, setting a new standard in AI-driven search technology.
Since its launch, Quark has rapidly gained popularity, emerging as the most widely used AI application in China as of March 2025, surpassing competitors such as Doubao from ByteDance and DeepSeek, according to data from Aicpb, a platform that tracks AI product popularity. Zhang Fan, head of Quark's search division, emphasized the application’s commitment to user needs, stating, "Quark will focus on user needs and continuously improve the 'deep search' feature to become a comprehensive AI assistant." This focus on user-centric design reflects a broader trend among tech companies seeking to redefine search tools in the age of AI.
The "deep search" feature is not merely an enhancement but a complete rethinking of how users interact with search engines. Unlike traditional keyword-based search methods, this feature employs Alibaba's Qwen AI models to analyze user queries in multiple stages, refining the search process to deliver precise answers. This approach marks a significant evolution in the way information is retrieved online, making it more intuitive and responsive to user intent.
Quark's latest iteration, the Qwen3 model, was launched in late April 2025 and boasts an impressive 235 billion parameters, outperforming both DeepSeek-R1 and OpenAI's o1 models. This new model is designed to balance performance with resource consumption, even allowing a smaller version with 600 million parameters to run efficiently on smartphones. The Qwen3 model employs a "mixture of experts" (MoE) architecture, which divides the AI into specialized networks that can focus on specific data subsets, enhancing both efficiency and speed during the reasoning process.
In testing scenarios like LiveBench, Qwen3 has demonstrated superior capabilities in programming, mathematics, and data analysis, although it still trails behind leading closed-source models such as OpenAI's o3 and Google Gemini Pro 2.5. Nevertheless, Qwen has established itself as the largest open-source AI ecosystem globally, with over 100,000 derivative models developed from its framework, showcasing Alibaba's rapid innovation in the AI sector.
Meanwhile, Google is facing significant challenges as user habits shift towards AI-driven services. Recent statistics from Apple revealed a concerning trend: Google searches via the Safari browser dropped for the first time in 22 years during March and April 2025. Eddy Cue, Apple's Senior Vice President of Services, attributed this decline to the rising popularity of AI chatbots like ChatGPT and Perplexity. Cue expressed his concerns during a trial related to ongoing antitrust litigation against Google, highlighting the potential revenue loss for Apple, which earns approximately $20 billion annually from its contract with Google to remain the default search engine on Safari.
The implications of this trend are far-reaching. As users increasingly turn to AI for direct answers, the traditional search model is being disrupted. Cue's revelations sent shockwaves through the market, resulting in a 7% drop in Alphabet's stock, erasing about $250 billion in market capitalization. This decline reflects growing apprehension about Google's future dominance in the search market, which currently holds 89.7% of the global share, down from 93% at the end of 2022.
Despite its substantial market presence, Google is now facing competition not just from other search engines but from innovative AI technologies that offer a more engaging and efficient user experience. As AI tools continue to evolve, they are reshaping how people seek information, leading to a significant decrease in traditional search queries.
In a related development, Google has recently introduced an AI Mode to keep pace with these changes. However, the effectiveness of this strategy remains uncertain, as users increasingly prefer the immediacy and accuracy of AI responses over conventional search results. The growing reliance on AI chatbots signifies a shift in consumer behavior that could threaten Google's long-standing position as the primary gateway to the internet.
As the landscape of online search continues to transform, the competition between traditional search engines and emerging AI technologies is intensifying. The rise of AI chatbots is not merely a trend; it represents a fundamental shift in how users interact with information online. The ability of these AI systems to provide direct answers and engage users in a more conversational manner is reshaping expectations and experiences in the digital realm.
Looking ahead, both Alibaba and Google must navigate these changes carefully. Alibaba's aggressive development of AI capabilities, as exemplified by Quark's advanced features, positions it well in the competitive landscape. Meanwhile, Google must adapt to the evolving preferences of users who are increasingly gravitating towards AI solutions for their search needs.
In conclusion, the introduction of Quark's "deep search" feature illustrates the rapid advancements in AI technology and its potential to redefine online search. As companies like Alibaba innovate and compete, traditional search engines like Google must confront the growing influence of AI in shaping user behavior and expectations. The future of search is not just about keywords and links; it's about delivering intelligent, user-centric solutions that meet the demands of a new generation of internet users.
