Traffic on ChatGPT's site, which had been consistently growing since its launch in November last year, saw a decline in June and July, according to data from Similarweb. The decline, initially observed in June at 9.7%, persisted in July with a decrease of 9.6%, indicating a consistent trend. The drop was more pronounced in the U.S., with a 15% decrease in June and a 4% drop in July coinciding with the Android launch.
The decline in traffic was attributed to the onset of vacations, impacting ChatGPT's popularity among high school and college students who used it for homework and essays. Similarweb's demographic model indicated that a significant portion of ChatGPT's user base, around 25%, falls in the 18 to 24 age group.
Anticipating a potential rebound in traffic after the vacation period, it's worth noting recent user complaints about ChatGPT's diminishing capabilities. Users have reported limitations in its functionality, although OpenAI's VP of Product, Peter Welinder, dismissed these concerns, suggesting that intensive usage may unveil unnoticed problems.
Despite its previous rapid growth, ChatGPT's popularity has plateaued for the time being, as observed by Similarweb. The chatbot experienced remarkable expansion in January, establishing itself as the fastest-growing service ever.
In summary, ChatGPT encountered a traffic decline in June and July, possibly due to vacation-related usage shifts. While it may regain its previous popularity after the vacation season, user complaints about reduced capabilities have surfaced. Nevertheless, OpenAI has defended the system's performance.
