Character.ai, the AI app maker that lets users design their own AI characters, is catching up to ChatGPT in terms of mobile app usage.
Notable Growth for Character.ai
According to a recent analysis by market intelligence firm Similarweb, the iOS and Android apps for the a16z-backed Character.ai are now seeing 4.2 million monthly active users in the U.S., compared with nearly 6 million monthly actives for ChatGPT’s mobile apps. This represents significant growth for Character.ai, which launched its app just six months ago.
Comparison to ChatGPT
While ChatGPT still has a substantial lead over Character.ai in terms of overall user base, Character.ai is closing the gap rapidly. ChatGPT’s mobile apps have been available for longer and have had more time to gain traction, but Character.ai’s unique features and design are clearly resonating with users.
Retention Rates
The average mobile app has a 30-day retention rate of 3% to 4%, and uninstall rates are above 40% after 30 days. However, Similarweb notes that Character.ai has been able to retain some of its early adopters and grow its usage in the months since its debut.
Demographics
Character.ai is attracting a much younger demographic than ChatGPT and other AI apps. On the web, for example, Character.ai draws in nearly 60% of its audience from the 18- to 24-year-old age bracket. This is significantly higher than the percentages seen with other AI providers, including Perplexity.ai (22.7%), Midjourney (22.3%), Anthropic (25.3%), and Bard (18.46%).
Website Traffic
ChatGPT has been experiencing a decline in website traffic over the summer months, with a 10% drop in June and July followed by another 3.2% decline in August. Character.ai’s website traffic also dipped slightly during this period, but mobile users adopting its iOS and Android apps made up for it.
Growth of ChatGPT
However, ChatGPT has started to bounce back in the U.S., with visits to the website increasing by 0.4% in August. This may be due to various factors, including improvements to the app or increased marketing efforts.
Future Prospects
It remains to be seen whether young people will continue to adopt Character.ai or if it will turn out to be another AI fad. However, with its unique features and design, Character.ai is well-positioned for continued growth and success in the competitive world of AI apps.
