After six months of popularity, the ChatGPT chatbot appears to be encountering a "traffic bottleneck." Data from Similarweb reveals that global visits to ChatGPT dropped by 9.7% in June, with unique visitors declining by 5.7%—the first decrease since its November 2022 launch. This trend extends beyond ChatGPT; other conversational AI platforms, including Microsoft Bing, Character AI, and Google Bard, have also reported stagnant or declining traffic in recent weeks. Growing concerns about an "AI bubble" are emerging in the capital markets.
Multiple factors have been identified as contributors to ChatGPT's traffic decline. Observers highlight issues such as the similarity among large language models, market saturation, subpar user experiences, and limited computational capabilities. Additionally, the absence of comprehensive data from commercial API services may mask some of the fastest-growing segments in the AI market.
Despite these challenges, the momentum of AI development remains robust. The slowdown in chatbot engagement may represent a natural correction from an initial phase of rapid growth. Looking forward, substantial untapped potential exists for AI applications across various industries. As new innovations emerge, we can anticipate a resurgence of interest and activity in this dynamic field.