OpenAI has announced that ChatGPT’s weekly active user count has approached 700 million.
The AI-powered chat application ChatGPT is drawing attention with its rapid growth in user numbers. According to OpenAI, as of the first week of August 2025, the application is on the verge of reaching 700 million weekly active users.
Although traditional search engines like Google and Bing do not disclose their weekly user numbers, historical data reveals that ChatGPT’s growth rate is remarkable. According to The Wall Street Journal, 5.6% of desktop searches in the U.S. are now conducted through AI-powered tools such as ChatGPT and Perplexity — a figure that has doubled compared to a year ago.
Even more striking is that around 40% of early adopters who began using large language models in 2024 now direct their desktop browsing activities toward AI tools. During the same period, their usage of traditional search engines dropped from 76% to 61%.
The growing influence of AI tools on search behavior is bringing about fundamental changes in digital marketing strategies. Brands now need to invest not only in traditional SEO but also in strategies that enhance visibility across AI-driven platforms.