ChatGPT beats Google and TikTok as Apple’s top app of 2025
OpenAI’s chatbot takes the No. 1 spot in the US App Store, signaling a shift in how consumers find answers and interact with tech
OpenAI’s ChatGPT has officially topped Apple’s list of most downloaded free iPhone apps in the US for 2025, beating out heavyweights like Google, TikTok, and WhatsApp. That alone signals a sharp turn in how US consumers are choosing to interact with the internet.
In a space once dominated by social platforms and utility apps, an AI chatbot now sits at the top.
This article explores how ChatGPT pulled off this climb, what it reveals about evolving user behavior, and how marketers should be recalibrating for an AI-first mobile ecosystem.
Short on time?
Here’s a table of contents for quick access:
- What happened: ChatGPT tops US iPhone downloads
- Why this is a turning point for mobile search
- What marketers should know
Patrecia Meliana
ChatGPT tops US iPhone downloads
Apple’s annual App Store charts are in, and for the first time, OpenAI’s ChatGPT leads the pack of free iPhone apps in the United States. It beat out social staples like Instagram, TikTok, and WhatsApp, as well as utility apps like Google Maps and Gmail.
Here’s the full top 10 list for free iPhone apps in the US:
- ChatGPT
- Threads
- TikTok
- YouTube
- Google Maps
- Gmail
- Google Gemini
Last year, ChatGPT ranked No. 4 behind Chinese e-commerce app Temu. In 2023, it didn’t even make the top 10. Its climb marks one of the fastest adoption curves for any AI app in consumer history.
Earlier this year, ChatGPT also became the most downloaded app globally, outpacing even TikTok and Instagram.
Why this is a turning point for mobile search
While app rankings may seem cosmetic, this particular shift reflects something deeper. The fact that ChatGPT outranked Google, Maps, and Gmail on iPhones suggests that Google’s hold on mobile search is starting to slip.
We are watching in real time as users begin bypassing traditional search engines in favor of conversational AI. That has direct implications for mobile SEO, branded content discovery, and customer acquisition. If the first touchpoint is no longer a search bar but a chatbot interface, marketers need to adapt.
This is not just about downloads. It is about habits. ChatGPT is becoming part of users’ daily workflows, from answering questions to composing content. It is already replacing certain types of queries and functions that would normally route through Google or social apps.
What marketers should know
Here are three takeaways marketers should not ignore:
1. Rethink your mobile content for AI-first behavior
AI chat interfaces do not display ten blue links. They extract, summarize, and synthesize. This changes how your brand needs to appear online. Content needs to be structured clearly, written with intent, and optimized for machine readability—not just search rankings.
2. Expect AI discovery to reduce traditional search traffic
As more users get their answers from AI directly, especially through apps like ChatGPT, you may see a drop in organic search traffic. Brands should begin tracking how their content is referenced or cited in AI responses and start optimizing content for AI models as part of their overall discovery strategy.
3. AI is now a primary engagement layer, not a future experiment
Brands must stop treating AI as a side experiment. Whether through chatbots, content tools, or customer support, conversational AI is becoming a dominant interface. The mobile download data confirms it. If your customer journey doesn't include AI engagement, it’s time to rethink your approach.
Despite its growth, ChatGPT is not without controversy. The app has faced backlash following a lawsuit where it allegedly provided harmful instructions to a teenager. OpenAI denied liability, but the incident highlights the ethical challenges surrounding open-ended AI tools.
For marketers, this raises a new question: how do you align your brand with emerging tech without being caught off guard by ethical or legal blowback? Vetting AI tools and partners is no longer optional.
When an AI assistant tops Apple’s app chart, it’s more than just a product win. It’s a cultural shift. Consumers are looking for faster, more intuitive ways to get things done. Brands that embrace this shift will not only be found more easily—they’ll also be remembered.
