Summary
- Google’s Gemini app has become the most downloaded app this month, leading in search interest this week.
- For the first time, the Gemini app has surpassed ChatGPT.
- This surge in popularity has propelled Google’s valuation past $3 trillion, placing it just behind Nvidia, Apple, and Microsoft.
The Gemini app, released by Google, achieved the top spot on the Apple App Store on September 15, marking a historic moment as it dethroned ChatGPT for the first time since the launch of OpenAI’s chatbot nearly three years ago. This surge in popularity is attributed not to advances in artificial intelligence, but rather to the growing public interest in creating memes and editing images, particularly following the introduction of the Nano Banana feature.
Twitter reveals that Google cited image editing as a key feature driving usage of the Nano Banana in its app. Although Google has not specified concrete reasons for the sudden rise in interest, the popularity of this tool likely played a significant role.
A unique prompt for the image editing feature allowed users to convert photos into 3D collectible portraits, sparking excitement among users. In just two weeks after gaining viral traction, Gemini ranked #1 on both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, attracting 23 million new users and generating over 500 million images.
As per Google Trends, global searches for Gemini surpassed those for ChatGPT on September 12. Prior to this, Gemini recorded approximately 13 million downloads monthly compared to ChatGPT’s 64 million, despite ChatGPT capturing 60% of AI-related web traffic.
The boost in downloads has contributed to Alphabet’s market capitalization surpassing $3 trillion. Google stocks have risen nearly 30% in 2023, also benefiting from a favorable antitrust ruling that allowed it to retain its Chrome and Android assets. The success of the Nano Banana feature is expected to drive further revenue growth through potential new Gemini subscriptions.
Industry experts note that if Gemini continues to hold its position in the App Store, it could become a valuable asset that enhances Google’s core search functionalities. This trend highlights how quickly the AI landscape can shift, driven by popular user features akin to previous successes seen by OpenAI and other AI platforms.
