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30 ChatGPT Sites Entered Google Search. Then 20 Experienced AI Index Drop and 10 Experienced AI Index Ghosting


What happens after an AI-generated website is discovered and indexed by Google?


An independent SEO case study involving 30 AI-generated websites hosted on ChatGPT subdomains revealed a search visibility cycle with four proposed stages:


  • AI Index Entry

  • AI Index Ascent

  • AI Index Drop

  • AI Index Ghosting


  • AI Website Visibility Life Cycle: 1. AI Index Entry 
The initial stage in which an AI-generated website or AI sub-domain sites is discovered, crawled, added to a search engine’s index, and begins appearing in search results. 2. AI Index Ascent 
The period following AI Index Entry in which an AI-generated website or AI sub-domain sites gains rankings, search visibility, impressions, or organic traffic. 3. Mt. AI is the highest point of the AI website’s search visibility. The AI site may reach its best rankings, highest number of impressions, or greatest amount of organic traffic. 4. AI Index Drop 
The complete or near-complete removal of a previously indexed AI-generated website or AI sub-domain webpages from a search engine’s index or visible search results. 5. AI Index Ghosting 
A condition in which an AI-generated website or AI sub-domains remains indexed and may still be found through a site: search, but becomes practically invisible for its target keywords in regular search results. The AI webpage effectively becomes a ghost page: technically present, but extremely difficult for ordinary users to find. AI Index Drop Theory: The theory that certain AI-generated websites or AI sub-domains may initially achieve AI Index Entry and visibility, but later experience an AI Index Drop after the search engine has had more time to crawl, evaluate, and reassess them. Credit “Mt. AI,” also known as “Mount AI,” is an SEO term coined by SEO consultant Glenn Gabe. The terms “AI Index Entry,” “AI Index Ascent,” “AI Index Drop,” “AI Index Ghosting,” and “AI Index Drop Theory” were coined or developed by Esteban Maraboli, founder of E&L Interactive Web Design LLC. These terms form the foundation of Maraboli’s four-stage AI Website Visibility Lifecycle framework, which describes how AI-generated websites may enter Google’s index, gain search visibility, and eventually experience either an AI Index Drop or AI Index Ghosting.

The experiment was observed and documented from July 25 through August 29, 2026.


All 30 AI websites initially appeared in Google Search. Some gained surprisingly strong early visibility, including one Spanish written AI website that reached the first position on page two for its monitored search query:

This is one of the 10 AI sites that remained discoverable through the site: command. Those 10 became almost invisible in manual target keyword searches. The 10 sites represented approximately 33.3% of the sample. This image represents one AI Chat GPT website that was indexed and accepted by Google, nevertheless 3 weeks later has gone through the AI Index Ghosting stage.

At first, the experiment appeared successful. Google had discovered the websites, processed their pages, and allowed them to compete in search results as seen below:

The first stage observed in the experiment is called AI Index Entry. AI Index Entry is a proposed SEO term describing the moment when an AI-generated website, webpage, or AI-hosted subdomain is discovered, crawled, processed, and initially added to a search engine’s searchable index. This includes AI-generated websites published on custom domains as well as websites hosted on AI platform subdomains, such as addresses ending in chatgpt.site. This new AI SEO term was introduced by Esteban Maraboli

However, that visibility did not last.


As the websites were monitored over the following days, 20 disappeared from the Google searches used to locate them, including repeated site: searches that had previously returned the websites.

This image represents proof that some ChatGPT subdomains appeared to experience AI Index Drop. These websites were initially discoverable through the searches used during the experiment. Later, they could no longer be found through those same searches, including repeated site: checks that had previously returned the websites. They were not simply observed a few positions lower. They became undiscoverable through the methods used to monitor them. AI Index Drop is a proposed SEO term describing an AI-generated website, webpage, or AI-hosted subdomain that initially appears in Google’s searchable index but later becomes absent from the searches used to locate it. AI Index Drop & AI Index Drop Theory are new AI SEO terminology coined by Esteban Maraboli founder of E&L Interactive Web Design LLC

The remaining 10 followed a different path. They continued to appear when checked with the site: command, but their keyword positions progressively declined. Some moved from page two toward page six and continued falling until they became practically unreachable through ordinary searches.


These two outcomes are described as AI Index Drop and AI Index Ghosting.


Purpose of the Case Study


The purpose of the experiment was to observe how Google and other search engines treated newly published AI-generated websites hosted on ChatGPT subdomains.


The investigation focused on several questions:


* Would Google discover and index these AI websites?

* How quickly would they appear in search results?

* What initial positions would they receive?

* Would their visibility increase after being indexed?

* Would they maintain their initial positions?

* Would they remain discoverable after several days?

* Would their visibility improve, stabilize, decline, or disappear?


The experiment also explored a larger question being discussed within the SEO community: Could certain AI-generated websites or AI-hosted subdomains receive reduced visibility after initially appearing in Google?


The goal was not to assume the answer. The goal was to document the sequence of events after the websites were published, submitted, indexed, and monitored.


Stage 1: AI Index Entry

AI Index Entry is The first stage identified in this experiment is called AI Index Entry. AI Index Entry is a proposed SEO term describing the initial stage in which an AI-generated web page, AI-generated website, or AI-hosted subdomain is discovered, crawled, processed, and added to a search engine’s index. This term applies specifically to: AI-generated web pages AI-generated websites AI-hosted subdomains ChatGPT-hosted sites using addresses that end in chatgpt.site A real example of an AI-generated website hosted on a ChatGPT subdomain is: Open AI SEO This website uses a chatgpt.site subdomain and contains information about emerging AI SEO terminology, search visibility patterns, and the proposed AI Website Visibility Lifecycle. What Happens During AI Index Entry? Before an AI-generated site can appear in Google Search, Google must first discover that it exists. Discovery may occur through a submitted sitemap, an indexing request in Google Search Console, an external link, an internal link, or Google’s normal crawling process. After discovering the URL, Google may send its crawler to examine the site. The search engine then processes its content, structure, links, metadata, and other available signals. If Google decides to include the AI-generated web page, website, or subdomain in its searchable database, it has reached the AI Index Entry stage. In simple terms, AI Index Entry marks the transition between an AI-generated site merely existing online and becoming part of a search engine’s searchable index. AI Index Entry in the Case Study All 30 ChatGPT websites examined during this independent case study reached the AI Index Entry stage. Each site was initially discoverable through Google Search. Its presence was also confirmed through searches using Google’s site: operator. For example, the indexing status of the Open AI SEO website could be investigated using: site:ai-seo-terminology-trends.blush-bat-6649.chatgpt.site The appearance of these sites in Google’s results demonstrated that Google was technically capable of discovering, crawling, processing, and indexing websites hosted on ChatGPT subdomains. This finding is important because it shows that the AI platform or chatgpt.site extension did not automatically prevent the sites from entering Google’s index. At the beginning of the experiment, all 30 websites successfully crossed the initial indexing threshold. Publication Is Not the Same as Indexing AI Index Entry creates an important distinction between publishing an AI-generated site and having that site indexed. When an AI-generated website or web page is published, it becomes available online to anyone who has its direct URL. However, that does not necessarily mean it can be found through Google or another search engine. A published AI site may remain undiscovered, may be crawled without being indexed, or may be temporarily excluded from search results. It does not officially reach AI Index Entry until the search engine processes it and includes it in its searchable index. The process can be understood as follows: The AI-generated web page, website, or subdomain is created. It is published online. The search engine discovers its URL. The site is crawled and processed. It is added to the searchable index. It reaches AI Index Entry. What AI Index Entry Does Not Guarantee Reaching AI Index Entry is an important first step, but it does not guarantee strong rankings, impressions, clicks, or organic traffic. It also does not guarantee that the AI-generated site will remain indexed permanently. An AI site may enter Google’s index and still rank too deeply for ordinary users to find. It may appear temporarily and later lose visibility, remain indexed while becoming practically unreachable through its target keywords, or disappear from the index completely. For this reason, AI Index Entry should be treated as the beginning of an AI-generated site’s search visibility journey, not as proof of long-term SEO success. This stage confirms only that the search engine has discovered, processed, and initially accepted the AI web page, AI website, or AI-hosted subdomain into its index. What happens afterward must be evaluated by monitoring its indexed status, rankings, impressions, keyword visibility, clicks, and organic traffic. Why AI Index Entry Matters AI Index Entry provides researchers, website owners, and SEO professionals with a specific term for identifying the first measurable stage of AI website visibility. Instead of simply saying that an AI-generated site was published or found by Google, the term identifies a more precise event: an AI web page, AI website, or AI-hosted subdomain successfully entered the search engine’s searchable index. Establishing this starting point makes it possible to document and compare the stages that may follow, including increases in search visibility, ranking growth, visibility decline, practical disappearance from keyword searches, or complete removal from the index. Within the proposed framework, AI Index Entry represents the foundation upon which the remaining stages of the AI Website Visibility Lifecycle can be observed. Authorship and Attribution The term AI Index Entry, its definition, and its placement as the first stage of the proposed AI Website Visibility Lifecycle were developed by Esteban Maraboli, founder of E&L Interactive Web Design LLC, as part of his independent research into AI-generated web pages, AI-generated websites, AI-hosted subdomains, Google Search indexing, and long-term search visibility.

The first stage observed in the experiment is called AI Index Entry.


AI Index Entry is a proposed SEO term describing the moment when an AI-generated website, webpage, or AI-hosted subdomain is discovered, crawled, processed, and initially added to a search engine’s searchable index.


This includes AI-generated websites published on custom domains as well as websites hosted on AI platform subdomains, such as addresses ending in chatgpt.site.

One example would be: Open AI SEO



All 30 ChatGPT websites examined in this case study reached the AI Index Entry stage.


They were initially discoverable through Google Search, including searches performed with the site: command. This demonstrated that Google was capable of finding, processing, and displaying AI-generated websites hosted on ChatGPT subdomains.


AI Index Entry is important because it separates website publication from actual search engine discovery.


Publishing an AI-generated website or launching an AI-hosted subdomain does not automatically mean it has entered Google’s index. The website must first be discovered, crawled, and processed before it has an opportunity to appear in search results.


However, entering the index does not guarantee strong rankings, meaningful traffic, or permanent visibility. It only represents the beginning of the AI website’s search visibility journey.


Stage 2: AI Index Ascent

AI Index Ascent is The second stage identified in the experiment is called AI Index Ascent. AI Index Ascent is a proposed SEO term describing the period when an AI-generated web page, AI-generated website, or AI-hosted subdomain begins gaining measurable search visibility after reaching the AI Index Entry stage. During AI Index Entry, the AI site is discovered, crawled, processed, and added to a search engine’s index. During AI Index Ascent, the site begins moving beyond basic indexation by appearing for search queries, gaining impressions, improving its keyword positions, or receiving greater exposure in search results. In simple terms, AI Index Entry means the AI site has entered the search engine’s index, while AI Index Ascent means its search visibility is beginning to rise. This term applies specifically to: AI-generated web pages AI-generated websites AI-hosted subdomains ChatGPT-hosted sites using addresses that end in chatgpt.site A real example of an AI-generated website hosted on a ChatGPT subdomain is: Open AI SEO This website uses a chatgpt.site subdomain and contains information about emerging AI SEO terminology, Google Search indexing behavior, and the proposed AI Website Visibility Lifecycle. What Happens During AI Index Ascent? After an AI-generated site enters a search engine’s index, it may begin appearing for relevant search queries. Its pages can start receiving impressions, earning measurable keyword positions, and moving higher within search results. During the AI Index Ascent stage, an AI site may: Appear for a growing number of search queries Gain stronger positions for its monitored keywords Receive additional impressions in Google Search Have more of its AI-generated pages discovered and indexed Move from deeper search results to more visible positions Begin appearing for variations of its target keywords Experience an increase in organic clicks or visits Reach its strongest observed search position Establish initial visibility for its brand name, topic, service, or location Begin competing with websites that have existed for a longer period Not every AI site will experience all of these developments. An AI website may reach this stage after showing improvement in only one or several measurable search indicators. For example, a site that moves from page six to page three has experienced an ascent even if it has not reached the first page. A site may also enter this stage by receiving more impressions, appearing for additional search queries, or having more of its pages indexed. The defining feature of AI Index Ascent is not a specific ranking position. It is the measurable upward movement of the AI site’s search visibility after indexation. AI Index Ascent in the Case Study All 30 ChatGPT websites examined in the case study first reached the AI Index Entry stage. After entering Google’s index, the sites began establishing measurable positions in search results. One of the websites reached the first position on Google’s second page for its monitored search query. For a completely new AI-generated website hosted on a new ChatGPT subdomain, this represented a promising early result. It showed that the site was not only present in Google’s index but was also beginning to compete for a meaningful search position. Reaching the first result on page two placed the website close to Google’s first page. This suggested that an AI-generated website hosted on a chatgpt.site subdomain could move beyond simple indexation and gain noticeable search visibility during its initial period online. This early performance is significant because the websites did not immediately disappear after publication. They followed a visible progression: The AI-generated sites were created and published. Google discovered and crawled them. The sites entered Google’s searchable index. They began appearing for monitored search queries. Some gained stronger positions and greater visibility. One site reached the first position on page two. The later decline occurred only after this initial ascent. This sequence shows why AI Index Ascent should be treated as a separate stage. The websites did not move directly from publication to decline. They first entered the index and demonstrated a measurable period of search visibility growth. AI Index Entry Versus AI Index Ascent Although the two stages are closely connected, they describe different search events. AI Index Entry occurs when an AI web page, AI website, or AI-hosted subdomain is initially added to a search engine’s index. AI Index Ascent occurs afterward, when the indexed AI site begins gaining measurable visibility, improving its search positions, appearing for additional queries, or receiving more impressions. An AI site can reach AI Index Entry without experiencing a meaningful ascent. For example, it may be indexed but remain buried so deeply in search results that it receives little or no practical visibility. An AI site reaches AI Index Ascent only when there is evidence that its search presence is growing or moving upward. The distinction can be summarized as follows: AI Index Entry: The AI site becomes searchable. AI Index Ascent: The AI site becomes increasingly visible. Why AI Index Ascent Matters AI Index Ascent gives researchers, website owners, and SEO professionals a specific term for documenting the early growth period of an AI-generated site in organic search. Without this distinction, an AI site might simply be described as indexed, even when it is actively gaining rankings, impressions, keyword coverage, or visibility. Indexation alone does not explain the website’s upward movement after it enters the search engine. Identifying the AI Index Ascent stage also provides an important measurement period. SEO professionals can document: The date the AI site first appeared in search The queries for which it became visible Its initial ranking positions Its highest observed ranking Changes in impressions and clicks The number of pages indexed How quickly its visibility increased How long the upward movement continued Whether its strongest position was maintained These measurements create a clearer record of the AI site’s search performance before any later decline occurs. AI Index Ascent Does Not Guarantee Permanent Growth A rising search position may look encouraging, but AI Index Ascent does not guarantee permanent rankings, consistent traffic, or long-term search visibility. An AI-generated site may gain visibility quickly and still lose that visibility later. Its rankings may stabilize, continue growing, become inconsistent, fall to deeper result pages, or disappear from the index completely. For this reason, the strongest ranking reached during AI Index Ascent should not automatically be treated as the website’s permanent search position. It represents the highest observed point during the monitored growth period. The website must continue to be observed after its ascent to determine whether it maintains its visibility or moves into another stage of the AI Website Visibility Lifecycle. The Importance of the Later Decline The later decline documented during the experiment does not erase the significance of the initial ascent. The fact that the websites first gained measurable visibility demonstrates that Google had not simply ignored them from the beginning. Google discovered the AI-generated sites, processed their content, added them to its index, and allowed them to compete for search positions. The decline happened afterward. This sequence is central to the proposed framework because it separates the initial acceptance and growth of an AI site from the visibility loss that may follow. It also raises important questions about how Google evaluates AI-generated sites after they have spent more time in the index. Within the proposed AI Website Visibility Lifecycle, AI Index Ascent represents the stage in which an AI-generated site begins building search visibility and moves toward its strongest observed position before its visibility stabilizes, declines, or disappears. Authorship and Attribution The term AI Index Ascent, its definition, and its placement as the second stage of the proposed AI Website Visibility Lifecycle were developed by Esteban Maraboli, founder of E&L Interactive Web Design LLC, as part of his independent research into AI-generated web pages, AI-generated websites, AI-hosted subdomains, Google Search indexing, keyword movement, and long-term search visibility.

After AI Index Entry, several websites entered a period of improving visibility called AI Index Ascent.


AI Index Ascent is a proposed SEO term describing the period when an AI-generated website, webpage, or AI-hosted subdomain begins gaining search visibility after being indexed.


During this stage, a website may:


* Appear for more search queries

* Gain stronger keyword positions

* Receive additional search impressions

* Have more pages discovered or indexed

* Move higher in search results

* Reach its strongest observed search position


One website in the experiment reached the first position on page two for its monitored search query.


For a completely new website hosted on a new ChatGPT subdomain, this was a promising early result. It showed that an AI-generated website could enter Google’s index and begin competing for meaningful search positions.


This early rise is important because the websites did not immediately disappear after publication. They first entered Google, gained visibility, and established measurable positions.


The decline happened afterward.


Stage 3: The Visibility Peak and Mount AI

Mount AI is the Visibility Peak: After an AI-generated web page, AI-generated website, or AI-hosted subdomain progresses through AI Index Entry and AI Index Ascent, it may reach its highest observed level of search visibility. This peak resembles the SEO concept known as Mount AI. Mount AI generally describes a search visibility pattern in which AI-generated or machine-scaled content experiences increasing organic growth, reaches a peak, and then begins declining. The term Mount AI was coined by SEO consultant Glenn Gabe. It was not created as part of this case study and should not be attributed to Esteban Maraboli. Mount AI Is a Peak, Not a Proposed Stage Within this case study, Mount AI is not presented as one of the four proposed stages of the AI Website Visibility Lifecycle developed by Esteban Maraboli. Instead, Mount AI represents the highest point or tipping point between AI Index Ascent and the two possible declining outcomes observed afterward: AI Index Drop AI Index Ghosting This distinction is important because Mount AI represents a turning point rather than a separate indexing condition. AI Index Entry describes when an AI site enters the search engine’s index. AI Index Ascent describes the period during which the site gains visibility. Mount AI represents the peak reached at the end of that upward movement, immediately before the site’s visibility stabilizes or begins declining. The relationship can be summarized as follows: AI Index Entry: The AI site enters the search engine’s index. AI Index Ascent: The AI site gains measurable search visibility. Mount AI: The site reaches its highest observed visibility or tipping point. AI Index Drop or AI Index Ghosting: The site experiences one of the two declining outcomes observed in the case study. What Happens at the Mount AI Peak? Mount AI represents the moment when an AI-generated site reaches its strongest observed search performance during the monitored period. At this point, the site may have: Reached its highest keyword position Appeared for its greatest number of search queries Received its highest number of search impressions Achieved its strongest level of organic visibility Had its greatest number of pages discovered or indexed Reached its closest position to Google’s first page Earned its highest number of organic clicks or visits Completed its most successful period of search growth The exact peak will not look the same for every AI site. One website might reach the first page of Google, while another might peak on page two or page three. A third website might receive its highest number of impressions without achieving a particularly strong ranking. Therefore, Mount AI should not be defined by one required ranking position or traffic level. It represents the highest measurable point reached by the AI-generated site before its visibility begins to decline. Mount AI in the ChatGPT Website Case Study The ChatGPT websites examined in this experiment did not necessarily produce massive amounts of organic traffic or create an enormous mountain of search growth. However, their movement through Google Search followed a pattern similar to Mount AI. The websites were published, discovered, indexed, and allowed to establish measurable search positions. Some of them gained stronger visibility after entering Google’s index. One website reached the first position on Google’s second page for its monitored search query. For a completely new AI-generated website hosted on a new ChatGPT subdomain, this represented a meaningful early peak. The result demonstrated that the website had progressed beyond simple indexation and had started competing for a noticeable search position. A real example of the type of AI-generated website examined within this research is: Open AI SEO This website is hosted on a ChatGPT subdomain ending in chatgpt.site. The observed pattern can be explained as follows: The AI-generated websites were created and published. Google discovered and processed the websites. The websites completed AI Index Entry. Some gained stronger positions through AI Index Ascent. They reached their highest observed levels of search visibility. Their search positions began declining. They experienced either AI Index Drop or AI Index Ghosting. Both declining patterns appeared after the websites had already entered Google’s index and established measurable search visibility. Why the Peak Matters Identifying the visibility peak is important because it separates the website’s growth period from its later decline. Without documenting the peak, a researcher might only observe that an AI-generated site was once indexed and later became difficult or impossible to find. That description would leave out the important period during which the site gained visibility and reached a measurable search position. The peak helps establish that the AI-generated websites were not ignored from the beginning. Google discovered them, processed them, added them to its index, and allowed them to compete in search results before the later decline occurred. This sequence makes the decline more significant. The websites did not simply fail to gain visibility. Some of them gained visibility first and lost it afterward. Mount AI as a Tipping Point Within this case study, Mount AI functions as a tipping point in the visibility pattern. Before the peak, the general movement is upward. The AI site may be gaining impressions, keyword positions, indexed pages, or overall search visibility. After the peak, the movement changes direction. Rankings may begin falling, impressions may decrease, pages may become more difficult to locate, or the site may eventually disappear from Google’s searchable index. This transition does not necessarily happen in a single day. An AI site may remain near its peak temporarily, fluctuate between positions, or decline gradually. The Mount AI point can sometimes be identified only after later data confirms that the site’s strongest period has already passed. For this reason, ongoing monitoring is necessary to determine: When the AI site reached its highest position How long the peak lasted When the decline began How quickly visibility was lost Whether the site remained indexed Whether the decline resulted in AI Index Drop or AI Index Ghosting The Two Outcomes Observed After the Peak The case study identified two different visibility outcomes after the initial peak. AI Index Drop occurs when a previously indexed AI-generated site experiences a complete or near-complete removal from the search engine’s index or visible search results. AI Index Ghosting occurs when an AI-generated site remains indexed and may still be located through a site: search, but becomes practically invisible for its monitored or target search queries. The site is technically present but functions like a ghost site because ordinary users are extremely unlikely to find it through normal searches. Both outcomes represent a decline, but they are not the same condition. AI Index Drop concerns the loss of index presence or near-complete disappearance. AI Index Ghosting concerns the loss of practical search visibility while the site remains technically indexed. Mount AI represents the peak that may occur before either of these two outcomes. Mount AI Within the Proposed Framework Mount AI helps explain the shape of the visibility pattern observed during the experiment, but it remains a previously established SEO concept created outside this case study. The four proposed stages developed through the case study are: AI Index Entry AI Index Ascent AI Index Drop AI Index Ghosting Mount AI is positioned between AI Index Ascent and the two possible declining outcomes. It marks the point at which upward search visibility reaches its observed maximum and begins moving toward either AI Index Drop or AI Index Ghosting. Authorship and Attribution The term Mount AI was coined by SEO consultant Glenn Gabe and should be credited to him. Esteban Maraboli did not create or coin the term Mount AI. His contribution was applying the existing Mount AI concept as a reference point within this independent case study and using it to help illustrate the peak between AI Index Ascent and the two declining outcomes identified as AI Index Drop and AI Index Ghosting. The case study, the four proposed stages of the AI Website Visibility Lifecycle, and the analysis of ChatGPT-hosted websites were developed by Esteban Maraboli, founder of E&L Interactive Web Design LLC.

Following AI Index Entry and AI Index Ascent, the websites reached their highest observed level of search visibility.


This peak resembles the concept known as Mount AI.


Mount AI generally describes a pattern in which AI-generated or machine-scaled content gains increasing organic visibility, reaches a peak, and then begins declining.


The term Mount AI was coined by SEO consultant Glenn Gabe. It was not created as part of this case study and should not be attributed to Esteban Maraboli.


Mount AI is also not being presented as one of the four proposed stages developed through this case study. It represents the peak or tipping point between AI Index Ascent and the two possible outcomes observed afterward.


The ChatGPT websites did not necessarily generate a massive mountain of organic traffic. However, their visibility followed a similar pattern:


1. The websites were published.

2. Google discovered and processed them.

3. They completed AI Index Entry.

4. Some gained stronger positions through AI Index Ascent.

5. They reached their highest observed visibility.

6. Their search positions began declining.

7. They experienced either AI Index Drop or AI Index Ghosting.


Both declining patterns appeared after the initial visibility peak.


Learn more about Glenn Gabe’s discovery and read his original post on X here: Mount Ai


Stage 4: AI Index Drop

AI Index Drop is a proposed SEO term describing an observed condition in which an AI-generated web page, AI-generated website, or AI-hosted subdomain initially appears in Google’s searchable index but later becomes absent from the repeated searches previously used to locate it. This term applies specifically to: AI-generated web pages AI-generated websites AI-hosted subdomains ChatGPT-hosted sites using addresses that end in chatgpt.site A real example of the type of AI-generated website examined during this research is: Open AI SEO This website is hosted on a ChatGPT subdomain and contains information about emerging AI SEO terminology, Google Search indexing behavior, and the proposed AI Website Visibility Lifecycle. What Happens During AI Index Drop? AI Index Drop occurs after an AI-generated site has already completed AI Index Entry. The site was previously discovered, crawled, processed, and displayed by Google. Its presence in Google Search had been confirmed through the monitoring methods used during the experiment. Later, the same site could no longer be found through repeated searches that had previously returned it. The site was not simply observed a few positions lower in the results. It became undiscoverable through the specific search methods used to monitor its presence. This distinction is important because normal ranking fluctuations can cause a website to move from one position or result page to another. AI Index Drop describes a more substantial observed change. The AI site transitions from being discoverable in Google Search to being absent from the repeated searches used to locate it. AI Index Drop in the Case Study All 30 ChatGPT websites examined in this independent case study initially entered Google’s searchable index. Their presence was confirmed through the searches used during the experiment, including Google’s site: operator. The websites were therefore not classified as sites that had never been indexed. After their initial discovery and visibility, 20 of the 30 websites could no longer be found through repeated searches that had previously returned them. The results were: 20 of the 30 websites entered the observed AI Index Drop group This represented approximately 66.7% of the complete sample Each website had initially appeared in Google Search Each website later became absent from the repeated searches used to monitor it The disappearance occurred after the websites had already completed AI Index Entry The sites were not classified as drops merely because they lost a few ranking positions Based on these repeated observations, the 20 websites were classified as apparent AI Index Drop cases within the boundaries of this study. The Observed Sequence The classification was based on an observable sequence rather than a single unsuccessful search. The sequence was: The AI-generated websites were created and published. Google discovered and processed the websites. The websites completed AI Index Entry. Some established measurable visibility through AI Index Ascent. They reached their highest observed search visibility. Their search presence began declining. Twenty websites became absent from the repeated searches previously used to locate them. These websites were classified as apparent AI Index Drop cases. This sequence is essential to the definition. A newly published AI website that has never appeared in Google Search should not automatically be classified as an AI Index Drop. To experience a drop, the website must first have verifiably appeared in the search engine’s results or searchable index. Without evidence of earlier indexation, the condition may be more accurately described as delayed indexing, failure to index, or another indexing issue. AI Index Drop Is More Than a Ranking Decline A website can lose several ranking positions without experiencing AI Index Drop. For example, an AI-generated site that moves from page two to page five remains discoverable through ordinary search, even though its visibility has declined considerably. AI Index Drop describes a more severe observed outcome. The website becomes absent from the searches used to verify its indexed presence, including repeated site: checks that had previously returned it. The difference can be summarized as follows: Ranking decline: The AI site remains discoverable but appears in a lower position. AI Index Ghosting: The AI site remains technically discoverable through a site: search but becomes practically invisible for its monitored or target keywords. AI Index Drop: The AI site becomes absent from the repeated searches previously used to confirm its presence. These conditions should not be treated as interchangeable. What May Have Happened to the Websites? The observations suggest that Google may have removed, suppressed, reevaluated, or otherwise stopped displaying the websites within the search results used during the experiment. Why AI Index Drop Matters AI Index Drop gives SEO professionals, researchers, and website owners a more precise term for describing the disappearance of an AI-generated site after it has already entered a search engine’s index. Without this term, several different situations might be described simply as “not indexed,” even though they represent very different events. AI Index Drop Within the Proposed Framework Within the proposed AI Website Visibility Lifecycle, AI Index Drop represents one of the two declining outcomes observed after an AI-generated site reaches its initial visibility peak. The progression can be summarized as follows: AI Index Entry: The AI site enters Google’s searchable index. AI Index Ascent: The AI site begins gaining measurable visibility. Mount AI: The site reaches its highest observed visibility or tipping point. AI Index Drop: The site becomes absent from the repeated searches previously used to confirm its presence. The alternative declining outcome is AI Index Ghosting. In that condition, the site remains technically discoverable through a site: search but becomes practically invisible for its monitored or target search queries. AI Index Drop and AI Index Ghosting therefore describe two different outcomes following the initial visibility peak. Authorship and Attribution The term AI Index Drop, its proposed definition, and its placement as one of the declining outcomes within the AI Website Visibility Lifecycle were developed by Esteban Maraboli, founder of E&L Interactive Web Design LLC. The term emerged from his independent research into AI-generated web pages, AI-generated websites, ChatGPT-hosted subdomains, Google Search indexation, search visibility changes, and the disappearance of previously discoverable AI sites. The classification of the 20 websites as apparent AI Index Drop cases represents an observational conclusion from this independent case study.

Twenty of the 30 ChatGPT subdomains appeared to experience AI Index Drop.


These websites were initially discoverable through the searches used during the experiment. Later, they could no longer be found through those same searches, including repeated site: checks that had previously returned the websites.


They were not simply observed a few positions lower. They became undiscoverable through the methods used to monitor them.


AI Index Drop is a proposed SEO term describing an AI-generated website, webpage, or AI-hosted subdomain that initially appears in Google’s searchable index but later becomes absent from the searches used to locate it.


In this experiment:


* 20 of 30 websites entered the observed AI Index Drop group

* This represented approximately 66.7% of the sample

* Each website initially appeared in Google

* Each website later became absent from repeated searches used to check it


The findings suggest that Google may have removed, suppressed, reevaluated, or otherwise stopped displaying these websites in its searchable results.


However, the experiment does not establish the exact technical mechanism behind their disappearance. A failed site: search is meaningful observational evidence, but the site: command is not a complete diagnostic tool or a guaranteed measurement of Google’s entire index.


The study also does not prove that Google applied an intentional penalty. Other possible factors may include crawling changes, canonicalization, content evaluation, duplication, technical signals, hosting characteristics, quality reassessment, or broader indexing processes.


Based on the repeated observations, these 20 websites are classified as apparent AI Index Drop cases within this study.


Why AI Index Drop Matters

AI Index Drop gives SEO professionals, researchers, and website owners a more precise term for describing the disappearance of an AI-generated site after it has already entered a search engine’s index.

Without this term, several different situations might be described simply as “not indexed,” even though they represent very different events.


Stage 5: AI Index Ghosting

AI Index Ghosting is a proposed SEO term describing an observed condition in which an AI-generated web page, AI-generated website, or AI-hosted subdomain remains present in Google’s searchable index and continues appearing through the site: command, but becomes almost invisible during ordinary searches for its monitored or target keywords after progressively losing its ranking positions. This term applies specifically to: AI-generated web pages AI-generated websites AI-hosted subdomains ChatGPT-hosted sites using addresses that end in chatgpt.site A specific website classified as an apparent AI Index Ghosting case during this research is: Diseño Web Latino Springdale AR This AI-generated website is hosted on a ChatGPT subdomain ending in chatgpt.site. It initially appeared in Google for its monitored or target keywords and established measurable search visibility. Its rankings later declined significantly while the website continued appearing through Google’s site: command. This combination of continued technical index presence and severe loss of practical keyword visibility is why the website was classified as an apparent AI Index Ghosting case. What Happens During AI Index Ghosting? AI Index Ghosting occurs after an AI-generated site has already completed AI Index Entry and established measurable search visibility. The website was previously discovered, crawled, processed, and added to Google’s searchable index. It also appeared for one or more monitored or target search queries. Later, its keyword positions began deteriorating. The website might move from page two to page four, then toward page six, and eventually fall even deeper into the search results. As this decline continues, ordinary users become increasingly unlikely to encounter the site through a traditional keyword search. However, unlike an apparent AI Index Drop case, the website does not completely disappear from the monitoring methods used to confirm its indexed presence. It can still be found through a site: search. From a technical perspective, the AI site remains discoverable. From the searcher’s perspective, it has become a ghost page. AI Index Ghosting in the Case Study All 30 ChatGPT websites examined in this independent case study initially appeared in Google Search. Twenty of those sites later became absent from the repeated searches previously used to locate them. Those websites were classified as apparent AI Index Drop cases. The remaining 10 websites followed a different path. These sites continued appearing through Google’s site: command for more than one week. They avoided the apparent indexing disappearance observed among the other 20 websites. However, their rankings for their monitored or target keywords progressively deteriorated. The results were: 10 of the 30 websites experienced AI Index Ghosting This represented approximately 33.3% of the complete sample The websites remained discoverable through repeated site: searches Their monitored keyword positions progressively declined Some sites fell from approximately page two toward page six or deeper They became practically unreachable through ordinary keyword searches Their technical index presence did not translate into meaningful organic visibility Based on these repeated observations, the 10 websites were classified as apparent AI Index Ghosting cases within the boundaries of this study. A Documented Example of AI Index Ghosting A specific example from the experiment is the following AI-generated website: Diseño Web Latino Springdale AR The website initially appeared in Google Search for its monitored or target keywords and established measurable search visibility. Its search positions later deteriorated significantly. Although the website became much more difficult to locate through ordinary keyword searches, it continued appearing when checked through Google’s site: command: site:diseno-web-latino-springdale.blush-bat-6649.chatgpt.site The website therefore remained technically present in Google’s searchable index based on the monitoring method used in the study. However, its severe ranking decline meant that ordinary users searching for its target services or keywords were extremely unlikely to find it. The website was still there, but its practical organic visibility had nearly disappeared. This documented combination of continued site: discoverability and severe keyword ranking deterioration is what classified the website as an apparent AI Index Ghosting case. The Observed Sequence The AI Index Ghosting classification was based on a progressive and observable decline rather than a single ranking change. The sequence was: The AI-generated websites were created and published. Google discovered and processed the websites. The websites completed AI Index Entry. They established measurable search visibility through AI Index Ascent. They reached their highest observed search positions. Their rankings for monitored or target keywords began declining. Some moved from approximately page two toward page six or deeper. The websites remained discoverable through repeated site: searches. They became practically invisible through ordinary keyword searches. These websites were classified as apparent AI Index Ghosting cases. This sequence is essential to the proposed definition.

The remaining 10 websites followed a different path.


These sites continued to appear in Google when checked with the site: command for more than a week. They avoided the apparent indexing disappearance experienced by the other 20 websites.


However, their rankings for their target keywords progressively deteriorated.


Pages that initially appeared around page two moved toward page six and continued falling deeper into the results. Although the websites remained present in Google’s searchable index, they became almost invisible during ordinary keyword searches.


This pattern is called AI Index Ghosting.


AI Index Ghosting is a proposed SEO phenomenon in which an AI-generated website, webpage, or website hosted on an AI platform subdomain remains present in Google’s index and continues appearing through the site: command, but becomes almost invisible during manual searches for its target keywords after progressively losing its ranking positions.


The word “ghosting” describes what happens from the searcher’s perspective.


The website is still there, but ordinary users are extremely unlikely to see or visit it through traditional organic search.


From a technical perspective, the page remains discoverable.


From the searcher’s perspective, it has become a ghost page.


In this experiment:


* 10 of 30 websites experienced AI Index Ghosting

* This represented approximately 33.3% of the sample

* The websites remained discoverable through site: searches

* Their keyword rankings progressively deteriorated

* Some fell from page two toward page six or deeper

* They became practically unreachable through ordinary searches


AI Index Drop vs. AI Index Ghosting


The difference between these two proposed terms depends on what happens after the website’s initial visibility period.


AI Index Drop


The website initially appears in Google but later becomes absent from the searches used to locate it, including repeated site: searches that previously returned the website.


The page appears to lose its searchable presence.


AI Index Ghosting


The website remains discoverable through the site: command, but its target keyword rankings decline so severely that ordinary users are extremely unlikely to encounter it.


The page remains searchable in a technical sense, but loses practical organic visibility.


The simplest distinction is:


AI Index Drop means the website appears to leave the searchable index.


AI Index Ghosting means the website remains in the searchable index but becomes a ghost page in organic search.


How Is AI Index Ghosting Different From AI Ghosting?


AI Index Ghosting should not be confused with the similar term AI Ghosting.


Alexandre Rastello, founder and CEO of Mentionable, uses AI Ghosting to describe a situation in which AI tools ignore a brand in their answers or recommendations, even when the brand should logically appear.


That concept concerns brand visibility inside AI tools such as ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and Perplexity.


AI Index Ghosting concerns visibility inside traditional Google Search.


A website experiencing AI Index Ghosting can still appear through the site: command, but becomes extremely difficult to find when users manually search for its intended keywords.


The two concepts involve different visibility environments and should be treated as separate terms.


Why Does This Visibility Cycle Make Sense?


Initial indexing is not necessarily Google’s final evaluation of a new website.


When Google first discovers a page, its systems may still need time to:


* Crawl and process the complete website

* Select the preferred canonical URL

* Compare the content with competing pages

* Evaluate relevance for different searches

* Understand the website’s purpose and subject

* Assess originality, quality, and usefulness

* Gather authority and trust signals

* Evaluate the hosting environment and technical structure

* Recalculate rankings as additional information becomes available


A newly indexed page may receive temporary visibility before Google determines where it should rank over a longer period.


In this case study, the sequence was consistent across the sample:


AI Index Entry came first.


AI Index Ascent followed for websites that gained stronger visibility.


The websites then reached their highest observed positions.


AI Index Drop or AI Index Ghosting followed afterward.


This sequence suggests that initial indexing was not the final challenge. Maintaining meaningful search visibility became the more significant problem.


Questions About Shared Platform Signals


All 30 websites were AI-generated and hosted on ChatGPT subdomains with addresses ending in chatgpt.site.


This raises questions about whether shared platform characteristics may have influenced Google’s evaluation.


The websites may have shared:


* Similar technical structures

* Related hosting characteristics

* Common subdomain patterns

* Limited domain history

* Similar publishing environments

* Other platform-level signals


The observed results are consistent with the possibility that certain AI-generated websites, especially those hosted on AI platform subdomains, may receive reduced visibility after an initial indexing period.


The experiment does not prove that Google intentionally penalized the websites because they were AI-generated. It does, however, establish a measurable pattern that deserves additional testing with larger samples, longer monitoring periods, custom domains, different content types, and comparison groups.


Final Findings


Out of 30 AI-generated websites hosted on ChatGPT subdomains:


* All 30 completed AI Index Entry and initially appeared in Google Search

* Several entered AI Index Ascent and gained promising early positions

* One reached the first position on page two for its monitored query

* All eventually experienced a decline from their highest observed visibility

* 20 became undiscoverable through the searches used in the experiment

* Those 20 represented approximately 66.7% of the sample

* The 20 sites were classified as apparent AI Index Drop cases

* 10 remained discoverable through the site: command

* Those 10 became almost invisible in manual target keyword searches

* The 10 sites represented approximately 33.3% of the sample

* Those 10 followed the proposed AI Index Ghosting pattern

* Both outcomes appeared after a visibility peak resembling Mount AI


The case study suggests that getting an AI-generated website or AI-hosted subdomain indexed may only be the first challenge.


The larger question is whether that website can maintain meaningful organic visibility after Google has had more time to crawl, process, compare, and evaluate it.


Attribution


The proposed SEO terms AI Index Entry, AI Index Ascent, AI Index Drop, and AI Index Ghosting, along with the definitions and visibility framework presented in this case study, were introduced or developed by Esteban Maraboli, founder of E&L Interactive Web Design LLC.


The terms emerged from his independent research involving 30 AI-generated websites hosted on ChatGPT subdomains and his observations of Google Search indexing, search visibility, and Google Search Console submission behavior.


The research began with an observed case on July 25, 2026, and expanded through additional experiments conducted during August 2026.


The term Mount AI was coined by SEO consultant Glenn Gabe and is included only to describe the visibility peak that may occur before AI Index Drop or AI Index Ghosting.


These terms represent independent SEO research and proposed terminology. They are not official Google terminology or confirmed descriptions of Google’s indexing systems.


 
 
 

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