OpenAI’s ChatGPT experienced a decline in global web traffic for the third consecutive month in August. Similarweb data reveals that this drop raises intriguing questions about the factors contributing to it. Let’s explore the possible reasons behind ChatGPT’s web traffic decrease and examine its possible connection to university students’ summer breaks.
According to analytics company Similarweb, ChatGPT’s user traffic worldwide declined for the third consecutive month this August.
ChatGPT Web Traffic Declines Globally
OpenAI’s chatbot, ChatGPT, experienced a 3.2% decline in traffic worldwide in August, totaling 1.43 billion visitors. The drop in traffic comes just two months after a substantial 10% drop. Additionally, the average time spent on the site decreased slightly from 8.7 minutes to 7 minutes in August.
Increase in U.S.-Based Users
The traffic from United States users began showing a positive trend in August, increasing 0.4% despite global traffic decreasing. August saw a 3% increase in unique visitors in the U.S. and a 0.3% increase worldwide.
Similarlyweb’s senior insights manager, David F. Carr, who regularly monitors AI chatbots, suggests that students may have used the application during their summer breaks and are now returning to school.
Summer Break Influence
“Students seeking homework help appears to be part of the story: the percentage of younger users of the website dropped over the summer and is now starting to bounce back,” according to David F. Carr of Similarweb.
U.S. and global ChatGPT audience statistics decline during the summer months.
Decline in the 18-24 Age Bracket
In May, around the time U.S. universities ended their semesters, traffic to U.S. websites plummeted by 10%, followed by a 15% drop in June and an additional 4% drop in July. During April, 18–24-year-olds made up 30% of the total US audience share.
Academic Impact
According to a separate survey conducted by Intelligent.com in May 2023, 1,223 undergraduate and graduate students in the U.S. reported using ChatGPT during the academic year. During the academic year, 30% of respondents reported using ChatGPT for schoolwork.
A significant 46% said they used the tool frequently for homework, and 1 in 8 said they improved their GPA after using the AI chatbot.
Currently, there are no comprehensive regulations governing AI usage in U.S. universities. In Japan, however, the Ministry of Education has already stated its intention to allow the limited use of generative AI tools in elementary, junior high, and high schools.
ChatGPT’s web traffic declined during the summer months due to students taking a break from using the AI chatbot during the academic year. The return of these students to their studies will determine whether ChatGPT’s traffic resumes and continues to grow. Using this unique insight, we can gain a deeper understanding of the dynamic relationship between technology, education, and user behavior.
