Why is ChatGPT’s market share in AI assistants declining?

The decline is driven by rising competition from Google Gemini and Anthropic Claude, which attract users through ecosystem integration and productivity-focused features. Trust factors, such as OpenAI’s partnership with the U.S. Department of Defense, also play a role.

Which AI assistants lead in user retention?

Anthropic’s Claude shows the highest retention rates, with 13% of users subscribing to paid plans. ChatGPT remains the leader in active user numbers but is losing market share.

How is monetization evolving in the AI assistant market?

The market is shifting from user growth to monetization, with AI app spending reaching $4.2 billion in the first half of 2026. Average revenue per user is rising, particularly in the U.S., where AI tools are widely adopted for work tasks.

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Artificial intelligence

ChatGPT Loses Market Share in AI Assistants for the First Time

June 16, 2026

Photo: TechCrunch

Quick answer

ChatGPT’s global market share in AI assistants dropped below 50% (46.4% in May 2026) for the first time, with Google’s Gemini (27.7%) and Anthropic’s Claude (10.3%) gaining ground.

According to analytics firm Sensor Tower, ChatGPT’s share of the global AI assistant market has fallen below 50% for the first time in its history. By the end of May 2026, its market share stood at 46.4%, down from over half at the start of the year. Google’s Gemini (27.7%) and Anthropic’s Claude (10.3%) have emerged as the primary beneficiaries, rapidly expanding their user bases through unique advantages.

Despite the decline in market share, ChatGPT remains the leader in total users, with a monthly audience exceeding 1.1 billion. Google’s Gemini follows with 662 million users, while Anthropic’s Claude ranks third with 245 million. Notably, Claude boasts the highest conversion rate to paid subscriptions in the industry, with 13% of users opting for premium features.

The AI assistant market is showing signs of maturity, with download and spending growth rates slowing, though absolute figures continue to rise. In the first half of 2026, users spent $4.2 billion on AI apps—nearly double the amount from the same period in 2025. Regional disparities persist: Asia leads in downloads but lags in paid subscriptions, while the U.S. and Europe see higher investment in premium features.

OpenAI is also experimenting with new monetization models, launching ads in ChatGPT in February. By May, 17% of users were exposed to ads, with software, retail, and media being the top advertising categories. Concurrently, ChatGPT is deepening its e-commerce integrations, driving traffic for retailers like Walmart and Target, while Amazon—blocking ChatGPT’s web crawlers—is losing ground.

Common questions

Why is ChatGPT’s market share in AI assistants declining?: The decline is driven by rising competition from Google Gemini and Anthropic Claude, which attract users through ecosystem integration and productivity-focused features. Trust factors, such as OpenAI’s partnership with the U.S. Department of Defense, also play a role.
Which AI assistants lead in user retention?: Anthropic’s Claude shows the highest retention rates, with 13% of users subscribing to paid plans. ChatGPT remains the leader in active user numbers but is losing market share.
How is monetization evolving in the AI assistant market?: The market is shifting from user growth to monetization, with AI app spending reaching $4.2 billion in the first half of 2026. Average revenue per user is rising, particularly in the U.S., where AI tools are widely adopted for work tasks.

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