ChatGPT Mobile App Growth Slows as User Engagement Plateaus
Growth Slows for ChatGPT Mobile App Amid Changing User Habits
ChatGPT’s mobile app, once a standout success story, is now facing a slowdown in its growth and daily usage, according to recent analysis by Apptopia. The new data highlights key shifts in user behavior, suggesting that the initial surge of interest in the app may be settling into a more stable, mature phase.
Key Findings: Download and Usage Trends
- Slowing New Downloads: Percentage growth in new global downloads began to decline after April, and October is on track to see an 8.1% decrease month-over-month.
- Plateaued Daily Users: Global daily active user (DAU) growth has stalled, with numbers flattening over the past month.
Despite these trends, ChatGPT’s app still attracts millions of downloads each day. However, the pace of growth is no longer accelerating as it once did.
Deeper Dive: Engagement Metrics Decline
- In the U.S., average time spent per DAU has dropped by 22.5% since July.
- Average sessions per DAU have also dipped by 20.7%.
- While user churn has stabilized, indicating a steady core user base, fewer users are casually experimenting with the app.
What’s Behind the Slowdown?
Several factors may have contributed to these changes:
- Increased Competition: Google’s Gemini app, especially after the launch of its Nano Banana AI image model, has rapidly climbed the charts and could be drawing users away.
- App Updates: Changes to ChatGPT’s AI model—including tweaks to reduce sycophancy and a less personable GPT-5—may have influenced user engagement.
Interestingly, Apptopia notes that engagement metrics were already declining before Gemini’s rise, indicating that competition is only part of the story.
From Novelty to Routine
Apptopia’s analysis suggests that the initial experimentation phase for ChatGPT’s app may be over. Rather than frequent, exploratory use, many users now turn to the app only when needed. This shift is common as popular apps mature and move beyond their early surge of viral adoption.
What’s Next for OpenAI?
As ChatGPT’s growth plateaus, OpenAI may need to invest in new features or marketing strategies to reignite user engagement. Relying solely on novelty is no longer sufficient for continued expansion in a crowded AI app landscape.
