OpenAI’s ChatGPT, the widely popular AI chatbot, experienced a decline in monthly website visits for the third consecutive month in August, according to analytics firm Similarweb. Global visits to the ChatGPT website decreased by 3.2% to 1.43 billion in August, following similar drops in the previous two months. The average time spent by visitors on the site has also been decreasing monthly, dropping from 8.7 minutes in March to 7 minutes in August.
However, there is a sign of a potential turnaround as August saw a slight increase in worldwide unique visitors, rising from 180 million to 180.5 million users. It’s suggested that the return of school in September may bolster ChatGPT’s traffic and usage, especially as some schools have started to incorporate it into their curriculum. In fact, U.S. ChatGPT traffic showed a slight rise in August, aligning with the reopening of American schools.
The chatbot, which rapidly gained popularity for its application in various tasks like editing and coding, achieved 100 million monthly active users just two months after its launch in January. It was considered the fastest-growing consumer application before the launch of Meta’s Threads. Currently, it stands as one of the top 30 websites globally.
Despite the competition posed by new chatbot offerings like Google’s Bard and Microsoft’s Bing-powered chatbot, ChatGPT remains a prominent player in the field. OpenAI also introduced the ChatGPT app on iOS in May, which might have contributed to the website’s lower traffic. The service is available for free but offers a premium subscription at $20 per month.
OpenAI’s revenue is not solely reliant on ChatGPT’s traffic. The company generates income by selling access to its AI models directly to developers and businesses, both independently and through a strategic partnership with Microsoft, which has invested over $10 billion in the company.
OpenAI’s diversified revenue streams insulate it from relying solely on ChatGPT’s website traffic. In addition to the chatbot’s popularity, the company generates income by providing access to its AI models for developers and enterprises. This is done through direct sales and in collaboration with Microsoft, which has made a substantial investment of over $10 billion in OpenAI.
While ChatGPT has seen a temporary dip in website visits, its widespread adoption and integration into educational settings hint at its enduring relevance. As schools incorporate the AI technology into their curriculum, it’s likely that ChatGPT will continue to play a pivotal role in various aspects of education, from homework assistance to specialized learning applications.
Furthermore, the decline in website visits doesn’t diminish ChatGPT’s status as a pioneering consumer application. Shortly after its January launch, it swiftly gained traction and achieved a milestone of 100 million monthly active users. This made it one of the fastest-growing consumer applications prior to the introduction of Meta’s Threads.
The introduction of competitors like Google’s Bard and Microsoft’s Bing-powered chatbot indicates a dynamic and competitive landscape in the AI chatbot sector. However, ChatGPT remains a prominent player in the field, thanks to its established user base and its continual development.
As OpenAI explores new avenues and applications for its AI technologies, ChatGPT’s role within the company’s broader ecosystem may evolve. Its impact in education and various professional domains is likely to continue, and innovations in the field may open up new opportunities for this versatile AI chatbot. With its diverse array of applications and robust user base, ChatGPT remains a significant player in the ever-expanding realm of artificial intelligence.