After the introduction of Generative Engines, we are seeing a new type of query evoluting, which we call “Command Based Query”.

Seeing the rising demand of command based queries we see that legacy search engines have also modified their features. It doesn’t matter, whether it is AI Overviews, AI Mode or Copilot.

Now, what matters is the existence of command based queries which demand a specific output not a list of results to choose on.

So, instead of finding information now we have shifted for assistance. Just like “To do a particular thing, I need the steps”, not giving us different options to confuse upon.

We also call this type of search as Conversational Searches which is growing aggressively.

The demand for command based queries has reportedly grown 28.9% in June 2025 in comparison to January 2022. Jumping from 124.8 million monthly searches to 160.9 million. Let me share some examples of command queries to understand it better.

Command Queries Examples

Queries that contain words like Calculate, Recommend, Compute, Rewrite, Describe, Compare etc falls in the bucket of Command Queries.

For example, calculate bmi of men, recommend best running shoes, compute the standard deviation and so on.

Now, the rising popularity of command queries indicates that people are now relying on Google AI Overviews, ChatGPT and other generative engines.

The Rival of Command Queries

One big rival of command queries is conversational queries.

Gen-Z prefers long, conversational searches whether they provide the full context in advance and then prefer a personalized answer.

On the other side, Command Search Queries are shorter but having enough context, in return it wants a specific output.

Looking at all this, we can safely say that users have now changed their mind about how they are finding information online.

Curious to see, how people are finding your business online? Just search your business with one traditional, one conversational, and one command based query style and find out where your business appears. If you won’t find your business in any of these modes, then congrats, at least you have identified the first pivot to hang on.

Remember, it is the journey that creates the impact to reach the final destination and now people’s journey to your online business is more like a zig zag way. Shifting from show me how to do it now.