In a surprising turn of events, ChatGPT became the world’s most popular app in March, surpassing familiar giants like Instagram and TikTok in downloads. This marks a significant milestone for ChatGPT as it tops the download charts with 46 million new installs, experiencing a remarkable 28% growth from February, according to recent data from Appfigures.
Instagram, which previously occupied the second spot, slipped down as ChatGPT surged ahead. Meanwhile, TikTok followed closely in third place.
Several upgrades contributed to ChatGPT’s rise in popularity in March. Notably, the app received its first major enhancement in image-generation capabilities in over a year. This sparked viral interest as users excitedly explored creating images and memes reflecting the distinct style of Studio Ghibli, celebrated for iconic films like “My Neighbor Totoro” and “Spirited Away.” Additionally, improvements in AI voice features and relaxed content moderation policies further boosted its appeal.
Appfigures highlighted an astounding year-over-year install growth of 148% for ChatGPT since 2021. However, the app’s success may not solely stem from its new features. The brand has become so recognized that many associate AI technology directly with ChatGPT, reminiscent of how Google became synonymous with internet searching in the 2000s. This brand dominance suggests that newcomers in the AI space, like Grok and Manus AI, may face challenges in attracting users who predominantly turn to ChatGPT.
Anthropic’s AI, Claude, struggles to compete against ChatGPT’s formidable presence. Meanwhile, Grok has a unique advantage due to Elon Musk’s influence and the vast distribution opportunities through X, even though it may not necessarily outperform ChatGPT on a technical level.
Instagram had maintained a strong position as the second most downloaded app in both the Apple App Store and Google Play since January, with TikTok leading the pack. Earlier in the year, TikTok experienced a surge in downloads amidst fears of a potential U.S. ban, leading users to rapidly download it in anticipation of it disappearing from app stores.
Instagram managed to secure the No. 1 spot for non-game apps throughout 2024, capitalizing on its increasing popularity among U.S. teens. Piper Sandler recently released a survey showing Instagram boasts an 87% monthly usage rate among U.S. teens, outpacing TikTok and Snapchat.
Rounding out March’s top app charts were prominent social platforms, with Facebook and WhatsApp ranking high. Other popular apps like CapCut, Telegram, Snapchat, Meta’s Threads, and Temu also made the list, contributing to a collective total of 339 million downloads for the top 10 apps in March alone, surpassing February’s 299 million downloads.
