Reddit’s ChatGPT Search citations fell 86% in four days

[Starblazer]

According to Promptwatch, Reddit accounted for an average of 3.83% of ChatGPT Search citations between July 18 and Aug 7, but it fell below 1% on Aug 14 and then averaged around 0.52% by Aug 17. Overall, 86.4% relative drop within a few days.



Source:
https://promptwatch.com/data/reddit-citations-are-dropping-in-chatgpt

 

[HenryObi]

According to Promptwatch, Reddit accounted for an average of 3.83% of ChatGPT Search citations between July 18 and Aug 7, but it fell below 1% on Aug 14 and then averaged around 0.52% by Aug 17. Overall, 86.4% relative drop within a few days.

View attachment 542125

Source:
https://promptwatch.com/data/reddit-citations-are-dropping-in-chatgpt

So what exact has OpenAI used to replace citations that came from Reddit?

 

[Venusaur]

I don't know in your countries, but here I'm not able to read Reddit anymore. I mean, I'm not logged in, so I can't read.

You can scroll down a few answers and boom: there is an annoying pop up forcing you to sign up or sign in. Then I just go back to Google and ignore it.

Is it something new globally? It wasn't like that a few weeks ago. But now, you need to log in to read answers with peace of mind, otherwise you will be interrupted by a pop up that works like a paywall in those newspapers.

If it's something affecting everybody, even AIs and bots won't be able to read - I guess, maybe they can, idk

 

[Salamouna]

Is it permanent thing or just a "chatgpt dance"

 

[Starblazer]

So what exact has OpenAI used to replace citations that came from Reddit?

Is it permanent thing or just a "chatgpt dance"

Same thing happened with Google AI Overviews and AI Mode. But the decline is slow since July. At this stage, we can't confirm if it's a change of source selection or a data collection issue. Another factor is Google search volatility in August that could've directly contributed to these changes.

there is an annoying pop up forcing you to sign up or sign in

It usually happens for adult or restricted content. I do browse entertainment subs without logging in and didn't face any issues.

 

[Venusaur]

It usually happens for adult or restricted content. I do browse entertainment subs without logging in and didn't face any issues.

For me it's appearing for any kind of Reddit post, not only NSFW.

Weird, but if they go with this path of forcing everybody to sign in to read any Reddit post, it might be an indication that they won't renew their agreement with Google and it can also affect AIs

Or maybe they just flagged my IP and everybody else keeps reading without problems

 

[DangerJones]

So what exact has OpenAI used to replace citations that came from Reddit?

Thats the neat part, made up nonsense!

 

[HenryObi]

Thats the neat part, made up nonsense!

would be interesting to see how it all ends up.

 

[Andrew Scherer]

So what exact has OpenAI used to replace citations that came from Reddit?

Actually, Reddit is only cited like half a percentage or 1% for most queries.

The post makes it seems like it made up this huge majority, they did but also they didn't.

Sources come from all over the place: videos, citations, industry publications, forums, blog posts, etc.. etc..

OpenAI simply tightened up how they search for information

Previously the searches were more broad

And because search engines just love slobbering all over Reddit, they would naturally appear more often than most sites

I don't think it has anything to do with OpenAI devaluing Reddit, just a change in how they search for and retrieve data

 

[jeezabull]

ooh so no more "One reddit user suggests .... yourself" outputs huh. It definitely got more boring then

 

[red_stuff]

I don't know in your countries, but here I'm not able to read Reddit anymore. I mean, I'm not logged in, so I can't read.

You can scroll down a few answers and boom: there is an annoying pop up forcing you to sign up or sign in. Then I just go back to Google and ignore it.

Is it something new globally? It wasn't like that a few weeks ago. But now, you need to log in to read answers with peace of mind, otherwise you will be interrupted by a pop up that works like a paywall in those newspapers.

If it's something affecting everybody, even AIs and bots won't be able to read - I guess, maybe they can, idk

Have you tried to install the mobile app and sign in as anonymous. Limited capabilities but might work.

 

[HustleTong]

Chat GPT going through it's own version of Google updates i guess

 

[Crackitdown]

an 86% drop that fast is kinda wild. makes me wonder if this is a temporary shift or if Reddit visibility in AI search is actually changing

 

[Starblazer]

Chat GPT going through it's own version of Google updates i guess

...and it's even scarier. At least, Google follows a pattern and targets sites based on footprints. AI tools can wipe out sites from sources leaving us clueless about what has happened and how to fix it. It's better if they create consoles like search engines and provide guidelines for quality content.

 

[NirvanaWolf]

Reddit is doing fine on Google AI. Looks like OpenAI nuked not only reddit but also other social media websites. Where is chatgpt sourcing answers from now will be interesting to see, they can't completely get rid of Q&A websites and quora is on a decline too.

 

[Project Limitless]

Feel bad for those who spent so much time in reddit optimization to get cited by OpenAI. Same old story, companies can screw you over with one update.