Artificial Intelligence is quickly changing how people find answers online. For law firms, this shift in search behavior represents both an opportunity and a challenge. Interestingly, 90% of AI Search referrals are coming from desktop devices, not mobile.
That number may be surprising, especially since mobile dominates overall web traffic. But when it comes to AI-powered search, users are overwhelmingly sitting down at a computer instead of reaching for their phones.
Why Desktop Leads the Way
The explanation comes down to user behavior. AI Search is best suited for deeper research, and desktop screens provide more space to review detailed answers, click through multiple links, and compare information side by side.
For potential clients, this means that the quick “lawyer near me” mobile searches are often replaced or followed up with desktop research about the legal process, case timelines, fees, and how to choose the right attorney. These are high-intent queries that law firms cannot afford to miss.
Mobile AI tools, on the other hand, often provide short summaries within the app itself. This keeps users from clicking through to firm websites, which helps explain the traffic gap.
What This Means For Your Firm
For law firms, the message is clear: your desktop presence matters more than ever. When prospective clients use AI Search on a computer, they are in research mode, and your website needs to be ready for them.
That means:
- Fast load times – a lagging page can cost you a lead
- Clear navigation – clients need to find answers quickly
- In-depth content – AI platforms prioritize detailed, authoritative responses
In addition to the basics, firms should also consider how their content appears when summarized by AI tools. If your website answers questions with clarity, depth, and authority, you increase the odds that AI systems will reference your content directly, which builds visibility even before the click happens.
At the same time, ignoring mobile would be a mistake. While desktop is driving the majority of AI referrals now, mobile dominates everyday browsing. As AI platforms improve their mobile interfaces, that traffic will grow. A future-ready firm should optimize for both.
Looking Ahead: AI Search and Legal Marketing
AI Search is still evolving, but the direction is clear: users will increasingly rely on it to find, research, and connect with professional services, including law firms. The firms that continue to adapt will be the ones clients find first.
Forward-thinking firms should pay attention not just to where traffic is coming from, but how clients are engaging with information once they land on a site. Tools like chat features, video explainers, and resource libraries can keep users engaged after that first AI-driven click.
At BluShark Digital, we help law firms stay ahead of these shifts. From creating in-depth content that AI tools trust to ensuring a smooth user experience across devices, we position firms to capture high-value leads in an AI-driven world. Contact us today to explore tailored digital marketing solutions designed to help you dominate in the age of AI.
About the Author
BLUSHARK DIGITAL LLC
BluShark Digital LLC was founded by Seth, an accomplished attorney and transformational thought leader who scaled a 2-person law firm to 38 lawyers in less than a decade. BluShark Digital uses the same cutting-edge marketing techniques (high-quality technical optimization, sophisticated content, authoritative link-building, and local optimization) that Seth used to grow his own business and has established itself as a best in class digital agency focusing on the legal sector.
