Image AI model releases drive 6.5 times more app downloads
Updated
Updated · TechCrunch · May 4
Image AI model releases drive 6.5 times more app downloads
2 articles · Updated · TechCrunch · May 4
Appfigures said ChatGPT gained more than 12 million installs after GPT-4o image launch, while Gemini added 22 million after Nano Banana and Gemini 2.5 Flash.
The report says visual-model launches now outperform traditional conversational model updates in attracting users, but download spikes often fail to translate into meaningful mobile revenue or paid subscriptions.
ChatGPT was the main exception, generating an estimated $70 million in gross consumer spending in 28 days, while Meta AI's Vibes boosted downloads with little revenue and DeepSeek reflected breakout curiosity.
AI image tools attract millions of users but little revenue. What is ChatGPT's secret to converting downloads into dollars?
AI apps are booming with exciting new features, so why are users abandoning them at such an alarming rate?
How did a Chinese open-source AI model trigger a $1 trillion shockwave for US tech giants?