Title: AI Fatigue? ChatGPT Sees Unexpected Decline in Traffic for the First Time
Is the world finally growing tired of artificial intelligence (AI)? While companies continue to churn out new AI products every week without any signs of slowing down, it appears that people’s interest in the biggest tech trend of 2023 may be waning. This phenomenon of AI fatigue is exemplified by ChatGPT, OpenAI’s popular generative AI platform, which recently experienced a notable dip in website traffic.
A report by Similarweb reveals that global traffic for ChatGPT dropped by 9.7% between May and June, with unique visitors also declining by 5.7% in June. The situation was even more concerning within the United States, where the month-over-month decline reached 10.3%. The report also highlights an 8.5% decrease in the amount of time visitors spent on the website.
Taking a closer look at the data, it becomes evident that since its launch in November 2022, ChatGPT had been steadily growing, with the highest traffic month occurring between February and March when monthly visitors surged from 10 billion to 15 billion. However, growth momentum began to slow down in April and May, albeit with a consistent increase in unique visitors.
Initial predictions suggested that ChatGPT was on track to surpass 20 billion monthly visitors, but this now seems like a distant dream.
The average time spent on the website exhibits a similar trend. Initially, when it was launched, users spent around six minutes on the platform, peaking at just over eight minutes in March. Currently, the average time spent is just under eight minutes.
It is worth noting that the decline in traffic is not exclusive to ChatGPT alone. Character.ai, the second-largest AI platform globally, also experienced a slump in traffic from May to June, following its peak in May. Interestingly, Character.ai outperforms ChatGPT in terms of user engagement, with visitors spending an average of 25.4 minutes per visit compared to 8.5 minutes on ChatGPT.
These statistics paint a concerning picture for businesses heavily invested in AI, as they tirelessly develop new user-focused tools without considering the possibility that the world may have begun to move on from this technology.
The shift in user interest emphasizes the need for companies to reassess their AI strategies and ensure ongoing relevance in a rapidly evolving market. While AI fatigue may be a temporary phase, it highlights the importance of continuously innovating and delivering meaningful value to AI users. Only by addressing this shift in user preference can businesses adapt to the dynamic nature of the AI landscape and thrive in the long run.
