January 22, 2026 A new survey from subscription bundling platform Bango reveals that for a growing number of U.S. ChatGPT subscribers, the chatbot is no longer just a tool for occasional use but a central hub for their digital lives. According to the data, 72 per cent of respondents have set ChatGPT as their homepage on both desktop and mobile, replacing traditional starting points like Google Search. 

Bango’s survey, which sampled 1,400 U.S. ChatGPT subscribers, shows a deeper integration of ChatGPT into users’ daily routines. 78 per cent of respondents have added a ChatGPT widget to their mobile devices, making it even easier to access the AI tool instantly without needing to open a browser first. 

The survey suggests this change is also affecting how users shop online. 74 per cent of those surveyed said they’d be open to paying for products directly inside ChatGPT. In addition, 72 per cent of respondents anticipate using individual apps less as more services, like music streaming and maps, become integrated into ChatGPT. 75 per cent of respondents said they would prefer to complete all their daily digital tasks within ChatGPT.

Additionally, Bango’s data shows that users are thinking about AI similarly to how they approach subscription services like Netflix. 77 per cent of respondents want their AI subscription bundled with other services, while 74 per cent said they’d like AI to be part of their phone contract. This opens up opportunities for wireless carriers, device manufacturers and subscription platforms to bundle AI features and capture more customer loyalty.

While this growing AI-first behavior suggests a shift away from traditional search engines, it does not mean platforms like Google are obsolete. Search volume remains massive, and many users still trust traditional engines over AI for certain tasks. However, as more users turn to ChatGPT as their digital starting point, the focus for advertisers, app developers and content publishers may shift from ranking high on search result pages to being featured inside the AI experience.

As Bango subscription expert Giles Tongue noted, “Consumers are increasingly building their digital lives around ChatGPT… Companies that embrace this new AI access layer will stay closest to their customers.”