In a remarkable shift in global digital trends, ChatGPT has overtaken Instagram and TikTok to become the most downloaded non-gaming app worldwide in March 2025, according to data released by app intelligence firm Appfigures. The popular AI chatbot, developed by OpenAI, amassed a staggering 46 million new downloads during the month, representing a 28 per cent increase from February and marking its best monthly performance since launch.
This achievement signals a growing shift in consumer preferences, with users increasingly turning to artificial intelligence for content creation, communication, and productivity. For the first time, ChatGPT claimed the number one spot globally, pushing Instagram and TikTok to second and third positions respectively.
One of the key drivers behind ChatGPT's explosive growth is the rollout of advanced image-generation features in March. Among the most talked-about updates was the ability to create memes and illustrations in the artistic style of Studio Ghibli, the legendary Japanese animation house. This feature quickly went viral across social media platforms, fueling a wave of downloads and user engagement. Improvements to its voice assistant and a more flexible image moderation policy also contributed to its appeal.
Despite the buzz around product updates, industry analysts believe ChatGPT's rising dominance is largely due to brand recognition. Ariel Michaeli, CEO of Appfigures, compared ChatGPT’s influence to that of Google in the early 2000s, saying it is fast becoming the default tool for AI-related tasks. Even as competitors like Grok and DeepSeek gain attention, many users continue to gravitate towards ChatGPT for its reliability and popularity.
Emerging rivals such as Anthropic’s Claude and Manus AI have yet to match ChatGPT’s traction. Meanwhile, Grok, which is backed by Elon Musk and integrated with X (formerly Twitter), may pose a challenge due to its strong support base and platform integration.
Overall, app downloads surged in March with the top 10 non-gaming apps recording a combined 339 million installs, up from 299 million in February. Meta’s family of apps, including Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp, Threads, and CapCut, remained dominant in the top 10 list. Other major apps such as Telegram, Snapchat, and Temu also maintained strong global appeal.
As the appetite for AI tools continues to grow, ChatGPT’s milestone marks a new era in digital engagement, blending technology, creativity, and convenience into one powerful platform.
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