Wikipedia's Human Traffic Plummets 8% Amid AI and Social Media Surge

Wikipedia Sees Decline in Human Traffic Amid Rise of AI Search Summaries and Social Video A new blog post from the Wikimedia Foundation reveals that human pageviews on Wikipedia have fallen by 8% year-over-year, a trend attributed to the growing influence of generative AI and social media. According to Marshall Miller, a representative of the foundation, this decline is largely due to the way people are seeking information online. The foundation's bot detection systems were updated in May and June, revealing that much of the unusually high traffic during those months was coming from bots designed to evade detection. This has led Miller to point out that search engines are increasingly using generative AI to provide answers directly to searchers rather than linking to external sites like Wikipedia. "We welcome new ways for people to gain knowledge and access information, but we also recognize the impact of these trends on our platform," Miller said in a statement. "As more and more people turn to social video platforms and AI-powered search summaries, it's clear that our role in providing accurate and reliable information is changing." The decline in human traffic is not unique to Wikipedia; other online encyclopedias have also reported similar trends. However, the Wikimedia Foundation notes that its platform remains a vital source of knowledge for many users. Background on the issue reveals that the rise of AI search summaries has led to concerns about the accuracy and reliability of information online. While some argue that AI-powered search results are more efficient and convenient, others worry that they may perpetuate misinformation or bias. Miller acknowledges these concerns but emphasizes the importance of adapting to changing user behaviors. "We're not opposed to innovation; we just want to ensure that our platform remains a trusted source of knowledge for people around the world," he said. Additional perspectives on this issue come from experts in the field. Dr. Rachel Kim, a professor of computer science at Stanford University, notes that the shift towards AI-powered search results is driven by user demand for convenience and speed. "People want answers quickly and easily; they don't always have time to click through multiple links or read lengthy articles," she said. However, others argue that this trend has significant implications for online communities and knowledge-sharing platforms like Wikipedia. Dr. Juan Carlos Martinez, a sociologist at the University of California, Los Angeles, warns that the decline in human traffic may lead to a loss of diversity and nuance in online discussions. "When people rely on AI-powered search results, they're missing out on the richness and complexity of human perspectives," he said. As the Wikimedia Foundation continues to navigate this changing landscape, Miller emphasizes the importance of collaboration and innovation. "We're committed to working with other organizations and experts to ensure that our platform remains a trusted source of knowledge for generations to come." The current status of Wikipedia's traffic trends is uncertain, but one thing is clear: the online encyclopedia must adapt to the evolving needs and behaviors of its users. As Miller notes, "The future of knowledge-sharing is complex and multifaceted; we're committed to being part of that conversation." *Reporting by Techcrunch.*