October DealsAmazon USOctober deal check: compare before you payAmazon US: current deals, useful picks and tech finds.Check DealsWindows FixRecommendedWindows errors stealing your time? Find the fix fastScan stability, cleanup and performance issues.Fix NowOctober DealsAmazon USDeal season is back - check today's better picksAmazon US: current deals, useful picks and tech finds.See Picks×
Skip to content
AI traffic

ChatGPT Still Leads AI Chatbot Web Traffic in 2026, but a New Rebound Isn’t Confirmed

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

ChatGPT still leads the major AI chatbot sites in worldwide web visits, according to Similarweb’s comparison through May 2026. But the available figures do not establish that visits to ChatGPT’s website have “roared back” in 2026 after a year of stagnation. The clearest documented rebound is historical: Similarweb estimated 3.1 billion worldwide visits in September 2024. A separate 2026 report found that ChatGPT was sending more referrals to other websites, which measures traffic going out from ChatGPT—not visits coming into it.

What the available figures say about ChatGPT traffic

“Traffic” can mean several different things. For this headline, the key measure is visits to ChatGPT’s website. Similarweb’s published comparison says ChatGPT had the most worldwide web visits among chatgpt.com, gemini.google.com, claude.ai and perplexity.ai through May 2026. Gemini ranked second and was closing the gap. The comparison does not provide a current monthly visit total in the reviewed text, so it cannot substantiate a specific 2026 surge in visits.

Similarweb also characterized ChatGPT as the slowest-growing of those four services by year-over-year app monthly active user growth. That is a growth-rate comparison, not a ranking of total web visits: a smaller competitor can grow faster while still attracting fewer visits overall. Similarweb’s comparison separates reach, retention and growth rather than treating them as a single measure of market share.

The documented website-visit rebound happened in 2023–2024

Similarweb’s historical series shows a slump in 2023 followed by a recovery. It estimated 1.8 billion worldwide visits to ChatGPT in May 2023, 1.4 billion in August and about 1.5 billion in September. A statement made in October 2023 that visits might reach 1.7 billion was a forecast at the time, not a reported observation.

What’s actually slowing this PC down?

Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
#1 Best Overall
Elebase USB to USB C Adapter for iPhone 18 Pro Max,USBC Car Charger Adapter
  • Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
  • Convert USB-A Ports to USB-C: Designed to connect USB-C earphones, cables, flash drives, card readers, and other USB-C accessories to standard USB-A ports. Plug-and-play with no drivers or software required.
  • Aluminum Alloy Housing: Built with a sturdy aluminum alloy shell that aids in heat dissipation and protects against daily wear and scratches. Designed to maintain a stable and secure connection.
  • Compact & Travel-Friendly: The ultra-compact design allows the adapter to stay plugged into your device without blocking adjacent ports or adding bulk, reducing wear and tear on your original USB ports.
  • 12-Month Warranty: Backed by a 12-month manufacturer warranty for peace of mind. Designed to meet strict quality control standards for reliable everyday performance.

The recovery continued into 2024. Similarweb estimated 3.1 billion worldwide visits in September 2024—112% above September 2023 and 18.7% above August 2024. Its year-over-year comparison joined chatgpt.com with ChatGPT’s original chat.openai.com subdomain, accounting for the domain transition. These are estimates from Similarweb’s traffic methodology, not a first-party count published by OpenAI. The figure describes September 2024 and should not be read as a 2026 monthly total.

In a US comparison for September 2024, Similarweb estimated 442.9 million visits to chatgpt.com and 404.3 million to bing.com. That juxtaposition is not evidence that Bing was a direct rival: Similarweb’s author David F. Carr cautioned, “Although we use Bing as a point of comparison, it’s not a direct competitor of ChatGPT, and Microsoft is a close partner of ChatGPT owner OpenAI.” Similarweb’s September 2024 report contains the estimates and qualifications.

Rank #2
Anker USB-C Hub, 5-in-1 USB Hub for Laptops, 4K HDMI Multiport Adapter
  • 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
  • 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
  • Quick Data Transfers: Accelerate your productivity with rapid data transfers using a high-speed 5Gbps USB 3.0 port and two 480Mbps USB 2.0 ports.
  • 4K HDMI Display: Enhance your visual experience with a hub capable of delivering 4K resolution at 30Hz in both mirror and extend modes. Please note that this hub is compatible with MacBook (macOS 12 and newer), Windows 10 and 11, ChromeOS, and laptops equipped with DP Alt Mode and Power Delivery. Note: This device is not compatible with Linux.
  • What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.

Why the 2026 referral increase is a different metric

BrightEdge reported that referrals ChatGPT sent to external websites rose 101% from January to August 2026. It also said ChatGPT accounted for 95.1% of AI-generated referrals in August, up from a 2026 low of 89.5% in April. These figures describe people clicking from ChatGPT to other sites. They do not count visits to chatgpt.com.

The 95.1% figure is ChatGPT’s share of referrals attributed to AI platforms, not its share of all website referrals. BrightEdge said AI platforms remained a small share of total website referrals compared with traditional search. Its CEO Jim Yu described ChatGPT as “sending substantially more users to the web than it was at the beginning of the year.” That is a claim about outgoing referrals, not proof of a ChatGPT-site visit rebound. BrightEdge’s September 24, 2026 release reports the referral figures.

Free tools Windows power users keep installed

One-click scans. No signup required.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
Rank #3
Sale
Anker USB C Hub, 7in1 Multi-Port USB Adapter, 4K@60Hz USBC to HDMI Splitter
  • Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
  • Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
  • Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
  • Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
  • What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.

What user activity can—and cannot—add

OpenAI’s Signals analysis offers context on usage, but it is not a website-traffic panel. The analysis sampled 0.1% of individual-plan users whose accounts were created between October 15, 2025 and May 1, 2026, and measured activity through May 31, 2026. In that sample, users sent 50% more messages per day and tried twice as many distinct tasks six months after signup. The findings suggest deeper and broader use among those sampled users over time; they do not establish how many people visited the site or whether aggregate site visits rebounded.

OpenAI’s account of the analysis describes its sample and scope. Its first-party account-activity measure answers a different question from Similarweb’s estimated web visits.

Rank #4
Sale
UGREEN USB to USB C Adapter Combo 4-Pack, 10Gbps USB C Converter Space Gray
  • Dual Converters, Infinite Potential:Includes 2× USB C male to USB A female adapters and 2× USB A male to USB C female adapters. Perfect for a wide range of uses—tablets with Bluetooth keyboards, expand USB ports on macbook, and more. Two different converters for all your daily needs
  • Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
  • Upgraded Exquisite Craftsmanship: With an aluminum alloy housing and metal connector, the usbc to usb adapter is extremely durable and sturdy. Rigorously tested to withstand more than 10,000 times of plugging and unplugging, ensuring long-lasting performance
  • Broad Compatible: The usb c to usb adapter widely supports all USB C/ USB A devices like laptops, tablets, cellphones, car chargers, and phone chargers. Such as compatible with MacBook Pro/Air 2023/2022, Thunderbolt 4/3 Devices,Apple MagSafe Watch 9/8/7/SE/Ultra, iPad Pro 2022/2021, Samsung Galaxy S23/S20/S10, and iPhone 17/16/15 Pro. Plug and play
  • Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

How to read claims that ChatGPT traffic is “back”

  • Check the direction of traffic. Visits to ChatGPT are inbound; referrals from ChatGPT to other websites are outbound.
  • Check the unit. Website visits, unique visitors, app monthly active users, repeat activity and referral share are not interchangeable.
  • Check the period and baseline. A September 2024 visit estimate is a historical datapoint, not a current 2026 count; a growth rate also depends on its comparison period and starting base.
  • Check the publisher and method. Similarweb labels traffic insights as estimates generated using proprietary algorithms and information from multiple sources. OpenAI’s Signals report uses a disclosed sample of individual-plan accounts.

Similarweb’s October 2023 account of the earlier downturn and recovery is available in its ChatGPT comeback report. Taken together, the cited sources support a historical visit rebound and a continuing lead in chatbot-site reach through May 2026. They do not supply a comparable 2026 monthly visit series that verifies a new website-traffic boom after stagnation.

Best Value
Anker USB C Hub, 5-in-1 USBC to HDMI Splitter with 4K Display
  • 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
  • Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
  • Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
  • HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
  • What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Read next

Recommended PC Tool
Recommended PC Tool
Windows Errors? Fix Them Before They SpreadFree repair scan
Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?Free driver scan

Two free Windows tools

One Free Minute Could Fix That PC

Before you go - each of these free tools takes about a minute and tackles what quietly slows a Windows PC down.

Special offer. View Outbyte info, uninstall instructions, EULA, and Privacy Policy.