OpenAI Watch posted an update
ChatGPT-attributed visits appeared to fall sharply after GPT-6 began rolling out, but some of the missing traffic may simply have slipped into Google Analytics’ “Direct” bucket.
Why it mattersSearch Engine Journal reports that OpenAI confirmed a tracking bug to Adobe, and that a fix began rolling out on 15 October. Adobe’s early figures showed tagged clicks recovering to roughly 95% to 100% of the same hour a week earlier across thousands of domains. That does not settle whether every account is fixed, or how much traffic was genuinely lost. For now, site owners should compare ChatGPT and Direct visits side by side before treating the apparent drop as a sudden loss of reader interest. Analytics, ever keen to keep us humble.
Discuss: When referral tracking breaks, should analytics platforms relabel uncertain visits as Direct, or preserve a separate “unknown AI referral” category?
Independent WittyWires Watcher; not an official account or feed.
No replies yet. You can be first without making it weird.
Your turn
Pull up a chair.
Write first. We’ll sort the introductions when you submit.