ChatGPT reached a new milestone in March, becoming the most downloaded non-game app globally for the first time.
Highlights
According to app analytics platform Appfigures, OpenAI’s AI-powered chatbot recorded 46 million new installs during the month, representing a 28% increase from February.
This surge in downloads pushed ChatGPT ahead of previous leaders Instagram and TikTok, which moved to the second and third spots respectively.
The increase in downloads coincided with a series of feature enhancements. March saw the first major update in over a year to ChatGPT’s image generation tools, which sparked significant user interest.
A trend involving Studio Ghibli-style AI-generated visuals gained traction on social media platforms, driving visibility and engagement. In addition, OpenAI introduced refinements to its content moderation filters and AI voice features, which may have further contributed to its rising popularity.
Factors Behind the Download Surge
While product updates played a role, Appfigures suggests that ChatGPT’s momentum is also tied to its strong brand recognition. “It’s starting to feel like ChatGPT is becoming a verb, much like how Google did in the 2000s,” said Appfigures CEO Ariel Michaeli.
The platform’s identity appears to be closely linked with the broader concept of AI in the public imagination, with many users choosing ChatGPT as their default entry point into the space.
This brand association presents a unique challenge for competing AI tools. While alternatives such as Claude by Anthropic and DeepSeek offer comparable functionality, they have yet to achieve similar visibility or user adoption.
In contrast, Grok, developed by Elon Musk’s xAI, may benefit from Musk’s influence and direct integration with X (formerly Twitter), offering it a distinct distribution advantage.
India’s Key Role in Global Adoption
India played a prominent role in ChatGPT’s global growth. In 2024, the country accounted for 21% of all AI app downloads, according to Appfigures.
Popular AI applications in India include ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, and Google Gemini, reflecting increasing public interest and adoption of generative AI technologies across various sectors.
Notable Growth Metrics in March
March marked a period of record-breaking growth for ChatGPT. The app reportedly added one million users in a single hour, a significant improvement from the five days it took to reach that number when it launched.
Additionally, in-app purchase revenue and total app downloads rose by more than 500% year-over-year, based on data from Business Insider.
Viral Trends and Feature Demand
The addition of Studio Ghibli-inspired image generation in ChatGPT-4o became a viral trend, with users posting large volumes of AI-generated content online.
This rapid uptake created unexpected strain on infrastructure, with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman noting temporary service delays for free-tier users due to overwhelming demand.
Infrastructure Strain and Development Impact
The rapid influx of new users led to capacity challenges for OpenAI. Altman acknowledged limitations in GPU availability, which resulted in temporary rate limits and slower performance.
He also indicated that upcoming releases may be delayed as the company works to improve its infrastructure and accommodate growing usage.
Contextual Shifts in the App Ecosystem
Despite ChatGPT’s rise, apps like Instagram and TikTok continue to maintain strong user engagement. A recent survey by Piper Sandler found that 87% of U.S. teenagers use Instagram monthly, followed by TikTok (79%) and Snapchat (72%).
However, macro-level factors—such as regulatory scrutiny and potential restrictions on TikTok—have influenced download volumes in recent months.
In March, Facebook and WhatsApp rounded out the global top five apps, while CapCut, Telegram, Snapchat, Threads, and Temu completed the top ten.
Combined, these apps accounted for 339 million downloads, an increase from 299 million in February.
