Tracking DeepSeek AI Traffic in GA4: The Chinese AI Giant

You're expanding into Asia-Pacific markets. Your translated content is live. Paid campaigns are running in Singapore, Hong Kong, and Tokyo.

But when you check GA4, something doesn't add up. You're seeing referral traffic from a domain you don't recognize: deepseek.com. A few dozen sessions at first. Then hundreds. Now it's consistently in your top 10 referral sources.

You search "DeepSeek" and discover it's a Chinese AI chatbot with 2.74 billion visits globally, making it the second-largest AI platform after ChatGPT. It launched less than two years ago and already commands significant market share in Asia-Pacific regions.

The question: How much of your APAC traffic is coming from DeepSeek, and are you optimizing for it?

Why DeepSeek Matters for Global Businesses

DeepSeek represents a fundamental shift in AI adoption patterns: the rise of regional AI platforms that dominate specific markets while remaining largely unknown in others.

Market position: DeepSeek is the second-largest AI chatbot globally by traffic volume, behind only ChatGPT. It's not a niche tool—it's a major platform with massive scale.

Geographic concentration: While ChatGPT has global distribution, DeepSeek's strength concentrates in mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, and Chinese-speaking communities worldwide.

Language advantage: DeepSeek handles Chinese language queries with higher accuracy than Western AI platforms, making it the preferred choice for native Chinese speakers researching in their primary language.

Commercial focus: DeepSeek emphasizes practical applications for business users, making it particularly popular for market research, competitor analysis, and B2B purchasing research.

If you serve Chinese-speaking markets, DeepSeek traffic is a leading indicator of brand awareness and content performance in those regions.

The Regex Pattern for DeepSeek

Tracking DeepSeek is straightforward because traffic comes from a single primary domain:

deepseek\.com

This pattern captures all traffic from DeepSeek's web interface. Unlike platforms like Microsoft Copilot (which routes through multiple domains), DeepSeek maintains a single referral source, making tracking simple.

Finding DeepSeek Traffic in GA4

Check if you're already receiving DeepSeek referrals:

Step 1: Navigate to Reports → Acquisition → Traffic acquisition.

Step 2: Use the search box above the data table to search for "deepseek."

Step 3: Look for deepseek.com / referral in the Session source / medium column.

Step 4: Click into DeepSeek traffic to view:

• Landing pages receiving DeepSeek citations
• Geographic distribution of visitors
• Device breakdown (mobile vs desktop)
• Conversion metrics compared to other sources

If you don't see DeepSeek traffic yet, you may not have significant reach in Chinese-speaking markets, or your content may not be accessible or discoverable to Chinese AI platforms.

Creating a DeepSeek Filter

To analyze DeepSeek traffic separately, create a filtered view:

Step 1: In any GA4 report, click the filter icon.

Step 2: Select "Session source / medium" as the dimension to filter.

Step 3: Set match type to "matches regex."

Step 4: Enter: deepseek\.com

Step 5: Click Apply to show only DeepSeek sessions.

This filter is temporary and applies only to your current session. For permanent tracking, set up a custom channel group.

Setting Up a DeepSeek Channel

To permanently segment DeepSeek traffic across all reports:

Step 1: Click Admin → Channel groups under Data display.

Step 2: Copy the default channel group and name it "Default + Regional AI."

Step 3: Add a new channel:

• Channel name: DeepSeek
• Condition: Session source matches regex
• Pattern: deepseek\.com

Step 4: Reorder channels by dragging DeepSeek above Referral. This categorizes DeepSeek distinctly rather than mixing it with generic referral traffic.

Step 5: Save. Historical data will reprocess within 24-48 hours.

Now all acquisition reports show DeepSeek as a standalone channel, making it easy to monitor growth in Chinese-speaking markets.

Geographic Analysis of DeepSeek Traffic

Understanding where DeepSeek traffic originates helps refine regional strategies:

Step 1: Navigate to Explore → Blank exploration.

Step 2: Add dimensions:

• Session source
• Country
• City
• Language

Step 3: Add metrics:

• Sessions
• New users
• Conversion rate
• Revenue (if e-commerce enabled)

Step 4: Apply a filter:

• Dimension: Session source
• Match type: matches regex
• Value: deepseek\.com

Step 5: Drag Country to rows and Sessions to values.

This report reveals which specific countries drive your DeepSeek traffic, helping you prioritize localization and market expansion efforts.

What to Expect from DeepSeek Traffic

DeepSeek traffic patterns differ from Western AI platforms:

Mobile dominance. DeepSeek traffic skews heavily mobile, reflecting smartphone-first internet usage patterns common in Asia-Pacific markets.

Business hours concentration. Unlike consumer AI platforms with 24/7 usage, DeepSeek shows pronounced spikes during work hours in Asian time zones, suggesting professional and commercial usage.

Lower English proficiency. If you only offer English content, expect lower engagement from DeepSeek traffic compared to ChatGPT. DeepSeek users often prefer Chinese-language resources.

Emerging market opportunities. High DeepSeek traffic from specific cities or regions signals market potential. If you're seeing significant DeepSeek referrals from Jakarta, Ho Chi Minh City, or Manila, consider expanding localization efforts for those markets.

B2B purchasing research. DeepSeek users frequently research products and services for professional use, making this traffic particularly valuable for B2B companies expanding in Asia.

Content Strategy for DeepSeek Visibility

If you want to increase DeepSeek citations, consider these approaches:

Simplified Chinese translations. DeepSeek handles Simplified Chinese more effectively than traditional translations. If you're localizing content for mainland China, prioritize Simplified Chinese versions.

Structured content. Like other AI platforms, DeepSeek favors clearly structured content with headers, lists, and logical organization. Technical documentation and how-to guides perform particularly well.

Accessibility. Ensure your content is accessible from China if that market matters to your business. Content behind Great Firewall restrictions won't be cited by DeepSeek's mainland China users.

Regional case studies. Content featuring Asian companies, markets, or use cases resonates more strongly with DeepSeek's user base than Western-centric examples.

Local partnerships. Mentions of partnerships with recognized Chinese companies increase content authority in DeepSeek's knowledge base.

Advanced Tracking: Combined AI Platform Analysis

Track DeepSeek alongside other AI platforms for comprehensive comparison:

Custom Exploration Setup:

Dimension: Session source
Segments:
  - DeepSeek: Session source matches regex "deepseek\.com"
  - ChatGPT: Session source matches regex "chat\.openai\.com|chatgpt\.com"
  - Perplexity: Session source matches regex "perplexity\.ai"
  - Claude: Session source matches regex "claude\.ai"

Metrics:
  - Sessions
  - Engagement rate
  - Average engagement time
  - Conversions
  - Revenue per user

This reveals which AI platform drives the most valuable traffic for your specific business.

Troubleshooting Common DeepSeek Tracking Issues

Issue 1: DeepSeek Traffic Showing as Direct

Cause: Mobile app doesn't consistently pass referrer data.

Fix:

• Track device category for Direct traffic from Asian IP ranges
• Look for unusually high engagement from Direct mobile sessions
• Consider these untagged DeepSeek sessions

Issue 2: Inconsistent Geographic Data

Cause: VPN usage common in China, masking true location.

Solution:

• Focus on language dimension instead of country
• Use city-level data for more accurate insights
• Track engagement patterns (business hours) as proxy for region

Issue 3: Low Conversion Rate Despite High Traffic

Cause: English-only content for Chinese-speaking audience.

Fix:

• Add Simplified Chinese translations
• Create region-specific landing pages
• Localize calls-to-action and forms

FAQ

How much DeepSeek traffic should I expect?

This depends entirely on your market presence in Asia-Pacific. Companies with strong Chinese-speaking audiences may see DeepSeek traffic at 30-50 percent of ChatGPT volume. Companies without Asian market focus may see zero DeepSeek traffic.

Is DeepSeek traffic only from mainland China?

No. While strongest in mainland China, DeepSeek has significant adoption in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, and Chinese diaspora communities globally. You may see DeepSeek traffic from San Francisco, Vancouver, Sydney, or London from Chinese-speaking residents.

Can I optimize for DeepSeek without knowing Chinese?

Yes, but with limitations. DeepSeek can cite English content, but it's less likely to do so unless the content is clearly superior or specifically addresses Chinese market questions. Hiring native Chinese speakers for content review significantly improves DeepSeek visibility.

Does DeepSeek traffic convert well?

Conversion rates are typically comparable to other AI platforms (2-4 percent for most sites), but average order values and customer lifetime values can be higher because DeepSeek captures commercial research activity rather than casual browsing.

Should I create a separate website for Chinese markets?

If China represents a significant market opportunity, yes. A dedicated Chinese-language site hosted on local infrastructure improves both DeepSeek visibility and overall user experience. However, this requires significant investment in localization, legal compliance, and market understanding.

How do I track DeepSeek mobile app traffic?

Like other AI platforms, DeepSeek's mobile apps may not consistently pass referrer data, causing some sessions to appear as Direct traffic. If you notice unusual patterns in Direct traffic from Asian IP addresses with high engagement, those may be mobile DeepSeek users.

What's the difference between DeepSeek and Baidu?

Baidu is a search engine (China's Google equivalent), while DeepSeek is an AI chatbot (China's ChatGPT equivalent). DeepSeek provides conversational AI responses with citations, while Baidu shows traditional search results. Both are important for Chinese market visibility.

Can DeepSeek access content blocked in China?

No. If your content is behind the Great Firewall, mainland China users of DeepSeek cannot access it. Consider hosting Chinese-language content on accessible infrastructure if targeting that market.

How fast is DeepSeek growing?

DeepSeek launched in early 2023 and reached 2.74 billion visits within two years, making it one of the fastest-growing AI platforms globally. Growth concentrates in Asia-Pacific markets where Chinese-language AI capabilities are most valued.

Should I add DeepSeek tracking for all websites?

Only if you serve (or plan to serve) Chinese-speaking markets. B2B tech companies, e-commerce platforms with APAC expansion plans, and educational content providers see the most value from DeepSeek tracking.

Related guides:

• Track All AI Chatbot Traffic in GA4 with One Filter
• Why ChatGPT Traffic Shows as Direct in GA4
• Grok AI Referrals: How to Track X's AI Chatbot in GA4