I watched a video by Programming with Mosh, in which he showed that personal web sites have seen their traffic drop sharply just as ChatGPT went main stream. He surveyed his social media userbase and the results suggested 40-60% of “search queries” were not being handled by ChatGPT (or similar), rather than people visiting web sites to find answers.
The effect is that less and less traffic is being directed to web sites.
I asked Microsoft Copilot if ChatGPT might be replacing blogs:
As a blogger, you might be curious about the impact of ChatGPT on the world of blogging. Let’s delve into this intriguing question.
ChatGPT, developed by OpenAI and launched in November 2022, is an innovative AI bot that can answer questions and engage in conversations almost like a human. Its language model, GPT 3.5, reaches new levels of AI content compared to previous writing tools. Trained on a vast database that includes internet articles and books, it possesses a form of “general intelligence” that allows it to create diverse content, from conversations and essays to poems and even viable code for building websites1.
Now, the burning question: Will ChatGPT replace Google and bloggers?
The answer is a nuanced one. While ChatGPT provides surprisingly compelling content on a wide range of topics, it won’t replace bloggers or Google anytime soon. Here’s why:
- Informational Queries: ChatGPT excels at answering certain types of informational queries. If you need quick facts or explanations, it can be quite handy. However, bloggers offer more reliable and actionable answers. Their expertise, research, and personal insights provide depth that an AI bot can’t fully replicate1.
- Reliability: Bloggers curate content based on their knowledge, experience, and research. Their articles often undergo rigorous fact-checking and editing. In contrast, ChatGPT generates responses based on patterns in its training data, which may not always guarantee accuracy or reliability1.
- Human Touch: Bloggers infuse their work with a human touch. They share personal anecdotes, emotions, and unique perspectives. Readers connect with this authenticity. ChatGPT, while impressive, lacks that personal touch1.
- Complexity: Some topics require deep analysis, critical thinking, and creativity. Bloggers excel in exploring complex subjects, whereas ChatGPT might struggle to provide nuanced insights1.
- Blogging Community: Bloggers form a vibrant community. They engage with readers, collaborate, and build relationships. ChatGPT, despite its conversational abilities, doesn’t participate in this community dynamic1.
However, the landscape is evolving. Some search results on Google might already be (or partially be) AI-generated answers. As AI content tools like ChatGPT continue to advance, the relationship between search engines, bloggers, and AI will become more intricate. So, while ChatGPT won’t replace bloggers outright, it’s essential to recognize its impact and adapt accordingly in this new AI era1.
In summary, bloggers and ChatGPT each have their unique strengths. Rather than replacing one another, they can coexist, complementing and enhancing the content landscape. So, fellow blogger, keep writing, sharing your expertise, and connecting with your audience—the human touch remains irreplaceable! ????????????
