ChatGPT Overtakes Search Engines in Sessions as Generative AI Apps Go Mainstream - 코리아포스트 한글판

According to the latest report from market intelligence firm Sensor Tower, global users engaged with generative AI apps an average of 50 times in the first half of 2025, signaling rapid mainstream adoption. ChatGPT, in particular, has surpassed leading search engines in session counts, reshaping the digital market landscape. The report highlights that generative AI apps reached 1.7 billion downloads and nearly $1.9 billion in in-app purchase (IAP) revenue during the first half of 2025. Downloads surged 67% compared to the previous half, while IAP revenue nearly doubled — the fastest growth since early 2023. Users spent a staggering 15.6 billion hours on generative AI apps during this period, equivalent to 86 million hours per day. The total session count hit 426 billion, which Sensor Tower equated to “an average of about 50 sessions per person worldwide.” [ Regional Download Growth Comparison] Regional Shifts and Growth Patterns North America maintained a strong presence in downloads and revenue, generating $762 million in IAP (up 74% QoQ), but its global market share declined from 20% to 11% as adoption surged elsewhere. Asia, led by India and China, posted an 80% increase in downloads — far outpacing Europe’s 51% and North America’s 39%. ChatGPT led monetization across nearly all major markets (excluding mainland China), accounting for 63% of total generative AI app revenue in H1 2025. [ ChatGPT Usage Pattern (Weekdays vs Weekends)] ChatGPT’s Search Engine-Like Usage ChatGPT users engaged with the app about 13 times per month on average, similar to platforms like X and Reddit. Notably, weekend usage is on the rise, diverging from productivity tools such as Microsoft Teams and Slack, which typically see weekday spikes. In H1 2025, ChatGPT users averaged 7.8 sessions, up 37% year-over-year, surpassing leading search and browser app cohorts. Daily usage time reached 16 minutes — a 58% YoY increase — rapidly closing the gap with traditional search engines. [ Generative AI App IAP Revenue Share] Cross-Platform Expansion ChatGPT has effectively captured users across devices, with more than 15% of its audience using both the mobile app and web version as of June 2025 — a milestone newer apps like Temu and Threads have yet to reach. “ChatGPT has evolved beyond a productivity tool into a multi-purpose companion for both work and leisure,” Sensor Tower noted, adding that its trajectory points to “a real disruption in the global search market.”