Gemini rapidly closes gap on ChatGPT as Google's AI chatbot doubles users and website visits

Gemini is rapidly closing in on ChatGPT when it comes to users -- here's why

Following the launch of Gemini 3, the Google-based AI app saw a huge increase in mobile app downloads. At the same time, its global website visits around that time roughly doubled. ChatGPT, on the other hand, saw just a 1% increase. Now, according to the analytics service Appnalyzer, Google Gemini has officially passed 1 billion downloads on the Google Store. These numbers show a rise in new users, but the same can be seen for monthly active users, with this number rising by roughly 30% to 346 million compared to ChatGPT's rise of 5% to 810 million. So, Gemini is the better service now? Not exactly. ChatGPT still remains more popular by numbers, and it is to be expected that a service as popular as ChatGPT will start to see growth slow down at a certain point. However, this is the first time its lead has been this small. For a long time, ChatGPT was so much bigger than its competitors that it wasn't even close. To see Gemini's numbers grow and close in at this rate will be concerning to ChatGPT. While Gemini is far and above its closest competitor, growth is being seen across the board, with the likes of Claude, Grok and Copilot also becoming more popular. From a glance, the picture looks clear. Gemini's app and website is growing and catching up with ChatGPT. However, zoom out again and Gemini's dominance grows further. ChatGPT is an isolated system. It is available via its website and app, and in a few other services where it is integrated. Gemini, however, has found its way into Google's services, including Gmail, Google Drive, Google Worksuite and more. Even more noticeably, it now has its Google AI Mode and Google AI Overviews. Google's CEO, Sundar Pichai, said in July that more than 2 billion people see Google's AI-generated search answers (AI overviews) every month. Clearly, Google's growth has put the fear into OpenAI, with the company recently announcing a 'code red'. This is a period where Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, has declared a clear focus on improving the core ChatGPT experience. That means putting all side projects to the side and making ChatGPT smart enough to keep up with Gemini 3. The result of this should be announced in the coming days, with rumors of GPT-5.2 floating around. This will be a minor, yet important update to ChatGPT, aiming to match the performance of its competitors. For OpenAI, they will be hoping it will be enough to hold Gemini off from its overtake.

Google Gemini gaining ground on ChatGPT in AI chatbot race By Investing.com

Investing.com -- Google's Gemini chatbot is making significant gains against market leader OpenAI's ChatGPT, according to new data from research firm Sensor Tower, cited by The Information on Tuesday. Gemini saw increased mobile app downloads in late November following version 3 release, while also doubling its global website visits between August and November. During this same period, ChatGPT's website traffic grew by just 1%. How will the AI race play out in 2026? See what Wall Street analysts think by upgrading to InvestingPro - get 55% off today Monthly active user figures show Gemini growing approximately 30% to 346 million users, while ChatGPT increased about 5% to 810 million. This competitive pressure was reportedly one of the key reasons that led OpenAI CEO Sam Altman to declare an internal "code red" last week, as reported by multiple media outlets. Google's AI reach extends beyond the Gemini app. Google CEO Sundar Pichai stated in July that over 2 billion people view Google's AI-generated search answers monthly, and in November reported that the Gemini app has more than 650 million monthly users. Additionally, Google Search's AI Mode has over 75 million daily active users globally. ChatGPT maintains the lead with nearly 900 million weekly active users according to The Information. Its top five markets by weekly active users are the United States, India, Brazil, Japan and France. Usage data also favors ChatGPT, with users spending approximately 17 minutes daily in the app last month (up 6% from March) across eight daily sessions. Gemini users averaged about 11 minutes daily (up 120% from March) across six sessions, not including voice assistant interactions on Android phones.