ChatGPT has reached another milestone.

The image creation feature helped ChatGPT top the global download charts in March, surpassing Instagram and TikTok.

The image generation feature using the GPT-4o model was integrated into ChatGPT in March. Image: OpenAI .

According to data from Appfigures , ChatGPT became the most downloaded app globally in March, surpassing rivals like Instagram and TikTok.

This is the first time ChatGPT has topped the download rankings for a month, and it's also the month with the most downloads ever. Specifically, ChatGPT installations in March reached 46 million, a 28% increase compared to February.

Following ChatGPT are Instagram (2nd) and TikTok (3rd). Download data is compiled from the App Store and Play Store; the ranking excludes games.

According to TechCrunch , the reason for the surge in ChatGPT downloads may stem from a series of upgrades in March, including the in-app native image creation feature.

Images created by ChatGPT are flooding social media, especially a series of photos and memes in the style of Studio Ghibli. This is a famous Japanese animation studio, behind films such as My Neighbor Totoro and Spirited Away .

OpenAI also removed some content censorship policies from its image creation feature and upgraded ChatGPT's voice chat capabilities.

According to Appfigures , ChatGPT installations in Q1 2025 increased by 148% compared to the same period last year (Q1 2024). However, the analytics company believes that new features are not the key factor driving user downloads of the software.

“It seems ChatGPT is gradually becoming a verb, similar to what Google achieved in the 2000s. Many people are thinking of ‘ChatGPT’ instead of simply ‘AI’,” said Ariel Michaeli, founder and CEO of Appfigures.

According to Michaeli, as the AI ​​chatbot market intensifies with competitors like Grok, Manus AI, or DeepSeek, people who weren't interested in the field will start researching and eventually download ChatGPT.

Because ChatGPT has widespread recognition, other AI chatbots may find it harder to compete. This is partly why Anthropic's Claude has low download numbers.

Meanwhile, Grok's growing popularity stems from the promotion by billionaire Elon Musk and social media platform X, not necessarily because it's better than ChatGPT.

Top 10 most downloaded apps in March (excluding games). Image: Appfigures .

In January and February, Instagram ranked second in downloads on both the App Store and Play Store, while TikTok came in first.

According to TechCrunch , the surge in TikTok downloads in the early part of the year may have stemmed from the US ban, which caused users to rush to download the app. Currently, the ban has been postponed as the Trump administration seeks to reach an agreement with China.

Previously, Instagram consistently ranked ahead of TikTok in global download rankings. Despite facing competitive pressure, it remains the most downloaded app in 2024 (excluding games).

According to a Piper Sandler survey, Instagram is the most popular social media app among teenagers in the US, with a monthly usage rate of 87%. For comparison, 79% of respondents use TikTok monthly, and Snapchat at 72%.

In March, Meta's app occupied 3 out of the top 5 positions, alongside Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp. The remaining names in the top 10 were Temu, CapCut, Telegram, Snapchat, and Threads.

In total, these 10 apps recorded 339 million downloads in March, a significant increase compared to the previous month (299 million downloads).

Source: https://znews.vn/chatgpt-lai-dat-cot-moc-moi-post1545274.html