Google Went ‘Not Provided’ In 2011 And Blinded Us, ChatGPT Just Shipped Its Version via @sejournal, @DuaneForrester

Google's implementation of "not provided" in 2011, which withheld keyword data from website owners, marks a significant turning point in the history of search engine optimization. This move, which was intended to enhance user privacy, ultimately limited the ability of website owners to track and analyze their online traffic. For website owners, ChatGPT's recent move to follow a similar path has significant implications. As ChatGPT starts to withhold data, website owners will face challenges in measuring the effectiveness of their content and tracking the engagement generated by the AI model. This lack of transparency will make it difficult for website owners to optimize their content and understand how users are interacting with their sites. To navigate this new landscape, website owners should focus on tracking AI bot traffic using tools that can identify and analyze ChatGPT's interactions with their sites. Additionally, they should review and update their llms.txt files to ensure they are accurately reflecting the AI models that are allowed to access their content. By taking these steps, website owners can maintain control over their online presence and make data-driven decisions, even in the face of limited data from ChatGPT.