Wikipedia reports an 8% drop in human page views in 2025 as AI, search engines and social media provide instant answers. The Wikimedia Foundation attributes this to bot traffic and changing user habits, and is responding with new tools, mobile improvements and outreach to younger audiences. The free online encyclopedia tool, Wikipedia, reported an 8 percent decline in human page views compared to the same period in 2024, as generative AI, search engines and social media platforms increasingly provide answers without directing users to the site. The free online encyclopedia tool, Wikipedia, reported an 8 percent decline in human page views compared to the same period in 2024, as generative AI, search engines and social media platforms increasingly provide answers without directing users to the site. The Wikimedia Foundation, which operates the online data platform, highlighted in a blog post on October 17 that evolving Internet trends and sophisticated bot traffic are reshaping how people worldwide access information. Rethinking Human Traffic The Foundation explained that its algorithms classify site traffic as human or bot, enabling accurate measurement of actual user engagement. In May 2025, unusually high apparent human traffic, mostly from Brazil, prompted a review of bot detection systems. Updated classification revealed that much of this traffic between May and June was generated by bots trying to mimic human behavior. AI and social media are changing information-seeking habits Wikipedia’s report links the decline in page views to broader shifts in how people consume knowledge. Search engines and AI chatbots are increasingly providing direct answers derived from Wikipedia content, while younger users are turning to social video platforms rather than the open web. Despite these trends, Wikipedia remains a key source for major language models and other AI-driven platforms, ensuring that volunteer-created content continues to reach audiences worldwide, even if users do not visit the site directly. Reduced traffic threatens volunteer growth The Foundation emphasized that reduced traffic threatens volunteer growth and donor support, both essential to maintaining Wikipedia’s standards of neutrality, verifiability and transparency. It called on AI companies, search engines and social platforms to promote Wikipedia as a resource, encouraging visits and participation in the free knowledge ecosystem. The free online encyclopedia tool, Wikipedia, reported an 8 percent decline in human page views compared to the same period in 2024, as generative AI, search engines and social media platforms increasingly provide answers without directing users to the site. Responding to a Changing Internet In response, the Wikimedia Foundation is taking several initiatives: Develop a framework for responsible third-party use of content, including technical capabilities via Wikimedia Enterprise. Expanding the reader growth and reader experience teams to improve user engagement. Improving mobile editing tools and first-time volunteer experiences to retain and grow contributors. Experiment with projects aimed at younger audiences on platforms like YouTube, TikTok, Roblox and Instagram. Wikipedia encouraged users to support content integrity by citing sources and engaging with original material. Volunteers are encouraged to participate in testing new tools, reviewing experiments, and helping shape Wikipedia’s future while maintaining the platform’s human-centered, free knowledge ethos.
Wikipedia loses 8% of human traffic as generative AI and social platforms change user habits
