Gen AI app sessions up fivefold, downloads jump 778% as ChatGPT leads traffic
Why does this matter now? While the tech is impressive, the real story is how quickly generative‑AI tools have moved from niche experiments to everyday utilities. The latest data show that the web’s traffic patterns are being reshaped, with conversational agents pulling users away from traditional sites and into app‑centric experiences.
Here’s the thing: OpenAI’s flagship chatbot has become the de‑facto entry point for millions seeking instant answers, code snippets, or creative prompts. That shift is reflected in a dramatic rise in overall visits to the company’s platform over the past couple of years. Analysts note that this momentum is not limited to desktop browsers; mobile devices are now the primary conduit for AI interactions.
The numbers coming out of recent reports underscore just how far the tide has turned, setting the stage for a striking statistic that follows.
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Mobile growth is even starker: sessions in Gen AI apps increased fivefold, and app downloads surged 778 percent. ChatGPT dominates global AI traffic.
Mobile growth is even starker: sessions in Gen AI apps increased fivefold, and app downloads surged 778 percent. ChatGPT dominates global AI traffic ChatGPT remains the primary driver of this expansion. OpenAI's platform grew from about 19 million monthly visits in 2022 to roughly 5.9 billion by September 2025.
This places the site among the world's five most visited websites, putting it in the same league as Instagram, which saw 6.5 billion visits in September 2025. Despite rising competition from Gemini, Claude, and Perplexity, ChatGPT still commands nearly 80 percent of global Gen AI visits.
Is the surge sustainable? Sessions in generative‑AI apps have risen fivefold, and downloads have exploded by 778 percent, according to Similarweb. ChatGPT alone accounts for the bulk of that growth, climbing from roughly 19 million monthly visits in 2022 to about 5.9 billion by September 2025.
In the same month, AI services logged roughly seven billion visits, a 76 percent increase over the prior year and comparable to major social platforms. Older users are now part of the user base, expanding the demographic reach. Yet the data stop short of explaining what drives the older‑generation uptake or how long the traffic levels will hold.
While the numbers suggest AI has become a core layer of web activity, the analysis offers no insight into retention rates or potential saturation. Consequently, the picture remains incomplete, and further monitoring will be needed to assess whether the current momentum translates into lasting infrastructure integration. No guarantee it won't plateau.
Future reports may clarify whether advertisers will shift budgets toward these AI channels.
Further Reading
- ChatGPT reached 800 million weekly active users by September 2025, driven by release of 4o image generation, GPT-5, Deep research - NerdyNav
- ChatGPT mobile app revenue increased from $174 million in 2024 to $1.35 billion in 2025 - Zapier
- ChatGPT became the fastest app to reach 1 billion global downloads across iOS and Google Play in July 2025 - Zapier
- ChatGPT generated 5.6 billion visits in July 2025, now the 6th most visited website in the world - NerdyNav
- Number of ChatGPT Users (November 2025) - 800 million weekly active users with 2.5 billion prompts sent daily - Exploding Topics
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Common Questions Answered
How much did sessions in generative‑AI apps increase, according to the article?
Sessions in generative‑AI apps rose fivefold, indicating a dramatic surge in user engagement. This fivefold increase reflects the rapid shift of users toward AI‑driven mobile experiences.
What percentage jump did downloads of Gen AI apps experience?
Downloads of Gen AI apps jumped 778 percent, a near‑eight‑fold increase. The massive growth underscores how quickly these tools have moved from niche experiments to mainstream utilities.
How did ChatGPT's monthly visits change between 2022 and September 2025?
ChatGPT grew from roughly 19 million monthly visits in 2022 to about 5.9 billion by September 2025. This expansion placed the service among the world’s five most visited websites, on par with platforms like Instagram.
What overall traffic increase did AI services see in September 2025 compared to the previous year?
AI services logged approximately seven billion visits in September 2025, a 76 percent increase over the prior year. This growth makes AI traffic comparable to that of major social media platforms.