A stunning 36% of global internet traffic is generated by bots, according to recent reports. With automation rapidly growing across online platforms, these bots aren’t just a minor nuisance—they are becoming a massive portion of internet activity.
From social media platforms like Twitter to search engines, bots are increasingly responsible for actions that were once primarily human. Reddit users have even begun questioning the authenticity of content, joking about how bots may soon outnumber human interactions on many platforms.
Advertisers are particularly concerned, as bots can inflate web traffic figures, leading to distorted engagement metrics and wasted ad dollars. As one Reddit user noted, “It’s like a circle of bots interacting with other bots, and advertisers are stuck in the middle.” This rise in bot traffic not only affects advertisers but also clogs the digital space with non-human interactions, potentially making the internet less efficient for everyday users.
While some bots are helpful—automating customer service or collecting data for research—the darker side of the bot invasion includes malicious activities. Bots can spread disinformation, carry out cyberattacks, and manipulate public opinion, leading to broader social and economic implications.
As bot technology improves, experts warn that bot traffic will only increase. Some estimate that this could rise beyond 50% in a few years, creating a “dead internet” scenario where the majority of online content is generated and consumed by bots, rather than humans. This trend raises urgent questions about how we engage with the internet and the role bots will play in shaping its future.
