The Rise of Command-Style Search Queries

The race is on between Google, ChatGPT and others to rewrite how we search. But behind the scenes, modern search is also reinventing us, rewiring how we ask for information online.

While opinions about traditional search vary, one segment of search is becoming dramatically more popular: Command Search…search queries designed to generate a specific output, not a list of results.

We’ve fundamentally changed our relationship with search engines, shifting from “finding information” to “requesting assistance.” We’ve evolved from get me started on the path to deliver me a specific, custom answer.

The Research: 55 Command Starters, 3+ Years of Data

I analyzed search volume trends for 55 command-style starter phrases — queries starting with phrases like “calculate,” “generate,” “rewrite,” “summarize,” and “solve” —  tracking their growth from 2022 through 2025.

As traditional search usage slowed, this is one area along with conversational search that has continued to grow aggressively.

Command-style queries grew 28.9% from January 2022 to June 2025, jumping from 124.8 million to 160.9 million monthly searches. That’s an additional 36 million searches per month where users are literally giving commands instead of asking questions.

While command queries are on the rise overall, a few specific buckets have greatly grown over the last few years.

The Categories of Command Search

Plenty of interesting takeaways from this data. Let’s dive in!

Math and education power huge growth in command-style search

First, teachers shield your eyes: mathematical commands are skyrocketing: The demand for instant calculations has fundamentally changed search behavior. Users used to search for formulas or how to do a specific function.

Now? They want the answer directly. For example, queries I tracked starting with “compute standard deviation…” grew 830% faster since 2022 than queries starting with “how to compute standard deviation…”  The “how to” is only a two-word modifier, but it’s easy to see the big difference in intent between the two query types.

Another big takeaway related to mathematical queries is the impact of students on patterns in command search. Search volume drops ~15 % every June–July as US schools break; it rebounds with the fall semester. I’d wager the 2025 school year will be record breaking in terms of command-style search volume.

Content rewriting becomes mainstream

Another fundamental shift revealed in the data is expectations around content generation. The biggest shift is in content creation commands. “Generate” and “create” queries represent users who’ve moved from “how do I write…” to “write this for me…”

“Rewrite the sentence” traffic has jumped 66× since 2022. Users are increasingly relying on Google and AI overviews for help with:

• School assignments
• Writing assistance
• Social media caption creation
• Professional communication polishing

Two Future Search Drivers: Command & Conversational Queries

It’s interesting that the two biggest growth areas in search are, at least on the surface, polar opposites.

Gen-Z prefers long, conversational search queries that provide tons of context and expect a personalized answer.

Command search queries are often shorter but also have high levels of specific context. They are search queries with specific output in mind.

The data is clear: customers have already changed how they search. As AI makes queries more directive, it’s likely traffic to broad, informational pages will taper.

Curious how your business is doing? A quick test: run the searches your buyers might type today: one traditional, one conversational, and one command-style. Where does your brand appear? If the answer is “nowhere” in any one mode, you’ve identified the first pivot point for 2025.

Remember, journeys that once began and ended on Google now zig-zag through ChatGPT, Reddit, TikTok, Bing, and a dozen LLM sidebars. Search is shifting from “show me how” to “do it for me.” The brands that show up consistently across those surfaces earn disproportionate trust and visibility in every channel.

That’s why we built OmniSEO™. As search behaviors change, so must your marketing strategy. Your business needs to be visible where your audience spends time online, whether that is ChatGPT, Google, Reddit, or elsewhere. Ready to see how command and conversational search can turn into revenue? Let’s chat!