Wikimedia reports 8% decline in genuine pageviews compared to 2024.
AI chatbots and search engines use Wikipedia data without user redirection.
Foundation warns of impact on volunteers, funding, and content credibility.
Wikipedia, the free online encyclopedia, has seen a notable dip in human engagement, due to AI chatbots. According to the Wikimedia Foundation, pageviews from genuine users have dropped by 8% compared to 2024, as AI tools, search engines, and social media increasingly serve up information without redirecting users to the site.
SurveyIn a blog post published on October 17, the Foundation explained that changing internet habits and evolving bot traffic patterns are reshaping how people access information. While the platform continues to serve as a backbone for large language models and AI systems that draw from its vast database, this shift raises questions on the survival of the platform, as fewer users actually visit the site.
Notably, AI chatbots and modern search engines deliver direct, summarized answers often based on Wikipedia’s own content, eliminating the need for users to visit the website. Additionally, younger audiences are turning to short-form video platforms like TikTok and YouTube for quick insights.
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As the genuine human traffic drops, the Wikimedia Foundation warned that it could impact volunteer recruitment and donor funding, both of which are important to maintain the encyclopedia’s values of neutrality, transparency, and verifiability. The Foundation urged AI firms, search platforms, and social media companies to credit and link back to Wikipedia, ensuring visibility for its community-driven knowledge base.
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The website has also urged volunteers to participate in testing new tools, reviewing experiments, and helping Wikipedia to serve while maintaining the platform’s human-centred, free knowledge ethos.
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Himani Jha
Himani Jha is a tech news writer at Digit. Passionate about smartphones and consumer technology, she has contributed to leading publications such as Times Network, Gadgets 360, and Hindustan Times Tech for the past five years. When not immersed in gadgets, she enjoys exploring the vibrant culinary scene, discovering new cafes and restaurants, and indulging in her love for fine literature and timeless music. View Full Profile
