Wikipedia Says Traffic Is Falling Due to AI Search Summaries and Social Video.pdf

Wikipedia has long been seen as the internet’s most trusted source of information.

1. Wikipedia Says Traffic Is Falling Due to AI Search Summaries and Social Video
Wikipedia has long been seen as the internet’s most trusted source of information. It is often praised
for being the last good website in a digital world filled with misinformation and AI-generated
content. But even Wikipedia is feeling the effects of major online shifts.
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According to the Wikimedia Foundation, human pageviews have dropped by about eight percent
year over year. This decline shows how much artificial intelligence and social media are changing the
way people search for and consume information.
The Drop in Human Pageviews
Marshall Miller from the Wikimedia Foundation explained that the fall in human traffic became clear
after a recent update to Wikipedia’s bot detection systems. These updates showed that a large part
of the high traffic during May and June came from bots designed to avoid detection.
Once these were filtered out, the true number of human visits appeared much lower. This revelation
confirmed that Wikipedia’s real audience has been shrinking, not because of poor content, but
because of broader changes in online behavior.
The Role of Generative AI in the Decline
One major factor behind the drop is the growing use of generative AI. Search engines like Google
and Bing are now using AI models to summarize information directly in search results. This means
users no longer need to click through to sites like Wikipedia to find answers.

2. They get short, AI-generated summaries instead. While this is convenient for users, it reduces traffic
to sources. The Wikimedia Foundation has expressed concern that fewer visits could mean fewer
editors and donations, both of which are essential for Wikipedia’s sustainability.
How Social Video Platforms Affect Reading Habits
Social video platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube Shorts are also changing how people seek
knowledge. Younger generations now prefer watching short videos for quick facts instead of reading
long articles. This trend has shifted attention away from traditional websites toward social apps.
As a result, Wikipedia’s text-based content struggles to compete with the fast and visually engaging
nature of these platforms. This change in habits is not only affecting Wikipedia but also other
educational and reference websites.
The Risk to Knowledge Transparency
The Wikimedia Foundation warns that fewer visits to Wikipedia could lead to a loss of transparency
about where information comes from. When users read AI-generated summaries, they often do not
realize the data was originally sourced from Wikipedia or its volunteer editors.
This makes it harder to appreciate the human effort behind the content. It also raises questions
about content integrity and attribution. Without awareness of sources, users may rely on summaries
that miss context or contain inaccuracies.
Wikipedia’s Experiment with AI Summaries
Interestingly, Wikipedia has experimented with AI technology itself. The organization tested AI
summaries for articles to make information more accessible. However, it paused the project after
editors raised concerns about accuracy and the need for human oversight.
Many contributors felt that automated summaries could misrepresent complex topics or reduce the
need for editorial involvement. This situation highlights the ongoing tension between automation
and human contribution in online knowledge sharing.
The Call for Responsible Use of Wikipedia Content
The Wikimedia Foundation has made it clear that AI companies and search engines using its data
should help drive traffic back to Wikipedia. The foundation believes that while knowledge can be
disseminated through AI, it is essential to credit and support the source.
If fewer people visit Wikipedia, there will be fewer volunteers to maintain and expand the content.
This could threaten the long-term health of the encyclopedia. Miller urged AI developers and
platforms to design systems that both use and support Wikipedia responsibly.
Efforts to Reach New Readers
Wikipedia is not standing still. The organization has two dedicated teams focused on reaching new
audiences. They are developing strategies to attract younger readers and make Wikipedia more
engaging for different regions. The foundation is also working on a new framework for content
attribution.

3. This framework aims to ensure that when Wikipedia content appears in other formats or AI systems,
proper credit is given. These steps are part of a larger effort to maintain the visibility and reliability
of the platform.
Supporting Human Knowledge and Volunteer Work
Marshall Miller also emphasized the need for users to support human-curated knowledge. He
encouraged readers to click through to the sources when searching for information online. He also
advised people to look for proper citations and recognize the work of human contributors. By doing
this, users help sustain the ecosystem that keeps Wikipedia accurate and trustworthy. The call to
action is simple but important: support the people who make free knowledge possible.
The Future of Wikipedia in the Age of AI
The rise of AI and social media has created a turning point for Wikipedia. The website remains a
cornerstone of reliable information, but it must adapt to stay relevant. Wikipedia’s strength lies in its
community of volunteers and its commitment to open, verifiable knowledge.
However, without sufficient engagement, that foundation could weaken. The organization is
exploring new ways to combine human editing with technology while keeping its core principles
intact.
Why Wikipedia Still Matters
Even as fewer people visit the site directly, Wikipedia’s content continues to power the modern web.
AI chatbots, search summaries, and educational tools all draw from its database. This means
Wikipedia’s influence remains strong, even if hidden behind other interfaces.
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4. Still, the platform’s success depends on recognition and active participation. Users, donors, and
developers all play a role in ensuring that free and factual information remains accessible to
everyone.
Conclusion
Wikipedia’s traffic decline is more than a number. It reflects a major shift in how people access
knowledge. As AI summaries and social videos reshape online behavior, the challenge is to preserve
the value of human-created information.
Wikipedia’s mission has always been to share knowledge freely with the world. To keep that mission
alive, both technology companies and individual users must contribute. Supporting Wikipedia means
supporting truth, transparency, and the people who make knowledge open to all.
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