AI Signal 558
ChatGPT search now applies site: operator to 16-17% of queries, up from under 0.5%
↗
Illustration only Photo by Pierre Bamin on Unsplash
Promptwatch tracking shows ChatGPT search now uses the site: operator on a significant share of queries, jumping from under 0.5% to 16-17% in early August.
This shift changes how sites get visibility in ChatGPT search, as the site: operator restricts results to specific domains. Site owners and content strategists must now consider being explicitly named in queries to appear in responses. The change also aligns with a reported reduction in Reddit sourcing, indicating a broader shift in ChatGPT's search source selection.
Written by elseif from the cluster below · every claim links back to a sourceThe three things worth knowing
Promptwatch tracking shows the percentage of ChatGPT search queries containing the site: operator jumped from 0.3-0.5% to 16-17% on August 8.
The change aligns with the GPT-5.6 rollout earlier in August, according to Promptwatch's report.
Promptwatch also reported on August 18 that ChatGPT appeared to have greatly reduced the likelihood of Reddit being used in those searches.
THE CLUSTER