A person sits in front of a laptop. On the laptop screen is the home page for OpenAIImage: Person using ChatGPT on a laptop. (Viralyft/Unsplash)
ChatGPT’s global usage has skyrocketed to an astounding 3.7 billion visits, rivaling even Google Chrome’s estimated 3.45 billion monthly users. This remarkable growth highlights the increasing adoption of generative AI platforms, with ChatGPT leading the charge.
ChatGPT’s Exponential Growth
Similarweb statistics on ChatGPT user growth since its inception.Image: Chart illustrating ChatGPT’s user growth. (Similarweb)
According to Similarweb, ChatGPT experienced a significant 17.2% month-over-month growth and a staggering 115.9% year-over-year increase in traffic. Several factors contributed to this surge, including OpenAI’s strategic domain change from chat.openai.com to chatgpt.com. A notable spike occurred in May 2024, when the platform reached a 2.2 billion visit milestone, marking the beginning of its continued ascent.
OpenAI’s Continuous Innovation
Since its launch in November 2022, ChatGPT has become a prominent force in the tech world. OpenAI has consistently enhanced the platform with new versions, features, and GPTs (Generative Pre-trained Transformers) to maintain user engagement. The recent introduction of ChatGPT Search, an integrated search engine providing real-time information on sports scores, news, and stock quotes, further solidifies its position.
ChatGPT vs. Google: A Full Circle Moment?
Ironically, ChatGPT’s expanding capabilities mirror those of Google Search, the very industry it aims to disrupt. However, it’s important to note that ChatGPT, like any web-based application, relies on browsers like Google Chrome for access. Chrome itself boasts a substantial market share of 35.4 billion users in 2024, with steady growth over the past five years, according to Statscounter.
Other AI Chatbots on the Rise
While ChatGPT dominates the landscape, other AI tools are also experiencing growth. Perplexity, despite recent plagiarism concerns, saw 90.8 million visits in October, a significant increase month-over-month and year-over-year. Google’s Gemini Chatbot, boosted by new AI features in ChromeOS, also witnessed substantial growth.
Anthropic, Microsoft, and NotebookLM Join the Fray
Anthropic’s Claude chatbot, following the release of desktop applications for Windows and macOS, achieved impressive growth. Microsoft’s web-based Copilot also experienced a significant surge in visits. Finally, NotebookLM, a Google-powered note-taking and information processing tool, demonstrated remarkable month-over-month growth.
Conclusion
The rise of ChatGPT signifies a paradigm shift in how users interact with information and AI. Its remarkable growth, coupled with OpenAI’s continuous innovation, positions it as a major player in the tech landscape. While other AI chatbots are gaining traction, ChatGPT’s impressive user base and strategic advancements solidify its leading position, even rivaling established giants like Google Chrome.
