# Publish stats, get cited: The tactic that put my data all over the web

> Fake stats site gets cited by ChatGPT and banks after 7 months.
- Title: Publish stats, get cited: The tactic that put my data all…
- Summary: Fake stats site gets cited by ChatGPT and banks after 7 months. A website with 50,000 fake statistics was cited by ChatGPT and banks after 7 months, showing…
- Keywords: peec ai, stateglobe, chatgpt, ai search, fake statistics, llm citations, seo, geolocation, technology, startups, Publish, stats
- Source: Peec — https://peec.ai/blog/publish-stats-get-cited-the-tactic-that-put-my-data-all-over-the-web
- Published: 2026-10-07T00:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: peec ai, stateglobe, chatgpt, ai search, fake statistics, llm citations, seo, geolocation, technology, startups
## The fake stats experiment
Metehan Yesilyurt launched a website with 50,000 fake statistics in one day using GPT-4.1.
## Google buried the site
Google dropped the site after two updates, but it stayed visible in ChatGPT searches for over 7 months.
## ChatGPT keeps citing it
ChatGPT has sent over 10,000 sessions to the site since launch, with 72,000 requests from ChatGPT-User.
## 330+ referring domains
The site now has links from 330+ domains including Shopify, Bluehost, and DHL.
## Academic paper citation
The fake data ended up in an academic paper and a bank's investment research report.
## Why LLMs cite stats
LLMs look for specific numbers when writing content, as they fill knowledge gaps with quick, verifiable data.
## The uncomfortable implication
Fake data gains credibility through citations, potentially becoming trusted by future models.
## Real data test
Peec AI tested real statistics pages and saw similar results, with sites linking to them.
## How to build stats pages
Make one claim per sentence, add sources and years, match headings to LLM queries, and update regularly.
## Tracking AI usage
Track AI bot activity in server logs, GA4 sessions from chatgpt.com, and new referring domains.
## Ethical considerations
The experiment shows fake data can become trusted, but Peec AI emphasizes verifying sources for accuracy.
## What's next
Peec AI is running close to 40 similar experiments to build a long-term strategy for brands.
## The consequence
The tactic works for trusted brands but should not be the basis for an entire GEO strategy.
## Key takeaway

A website with 50,000 fake statistics was cited by ChatGPT and banks after 7 months, showing how AI tools use data even when it's made up.