ChatGPT Surpasses 29 Million iOS Downloads, Leading Social Media Giants in Monthly Growth

ChatGPT, the AI chatbot developed by OpenAI, has seen remarkable growth in user adoption. According to data from Similarweb, the ChatGPT app for iOS was downloaded approximately 29.6 million times over the past 28 days. For comparison, the combined App Store downloads of popular social media apps TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, and X over the same period totaled about 32.9 million, a difference of around 10.6%. Critics have noted that social media platforms like TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, and X have had significant head starts in gaining widespread adoption. Nonetheless, ChatGPT's surge is impressive. In April, Appfigures ranked ChatGPT as the most downloaded app worldwide, surpassing giants like Instagram and TikTok. Recent court filings reported by The Information reveal that ChatGPT had about 600 million monthly active users in March, nearly double that of Google's Gemini, which had around 350 million. However, Similarweb's data from April suggests that Gemini has gained traction on Android devices, outpacing ChatGPT in downloads. This indicates that ChatGPT still faces challenges in fully penetrating Google's dominant market. A Pew Research Center report released on Wednesday further highlights ChatGPT's rapid rise. It found that 34% of US adults have used ChatGPT at least once, a figure that has doubled since 2023. Despite this growth, 66% of US adults have never used the chatbot, and 20% remain unaware of its existence. ChatGPT's journey to viral status began in November 2022 when it was first released to the public. It achieved its first million users in just five days, sparking a tech industry frenzy around generative AI. This surge drove major tech companies like Google and Meta to intensify their investments in AI technology, contributing to the growth and wealth of Nvidia, the leading US chip manufacturer whose GPUs are essential for developing AI systems. Since its public debut, ChatGPT has undergone several enhancements. It now incorporates OpenAI's image-generating technology, features Advanced Voice Mode for spoken interactions, and has been integrated with Apple's Siri AI assistant. These updates demonstrate OpenAI's strategic focus on making ChatGPT a versatile and indispensable tool for consumers, particularly as the company explores hardware development and workplace productivity solutions. Given the latest download figures reported by Similarweb—though these do not account for users accessing ChatGPT via desktop—the company appears to be making significant strides toward its ambitious goals. OpenAI aims to position ChatGPT as the go-to AI assistant for everyday tasks, solidifying its place in the rapidly evolving AI landscape. For those interested in more AI developments, sign up for our weekly newsletter, Innovation.