AI Usage in 2024: ChatGPT Dominates as Emerging Tools Gain Traction

The AI space is still rapidly evolving, and 2024 will see a notable change in usage patterns for users across the array of generative AI tools. According to a new report released by AI analytic companies called AITools.xyz, AI tools as a whole saw 101 billion visits worldwide in 2024, a 36.31% increase year-over-year. The insights from the report, measured through actual web traffic across 10,500+ AI tool listings, provide a better sense of where users are connected and how the year will end as industry anticipates 2025 and taking stock of the business.

Key Findings from the Report

1. ChatGPT's Ongoing Market Leadership

ChatGPT held its position as the most popular AI tool around, gathering a remarkable 40 billion visits in 2024—an increase of 15.1 billion visits from 2023. ChatGPT claimed an astonishing 39.56% of all web traffic associated with AI tools. In contrast, Google’s Gemini received 23 times less traffic, illustrating OpenAI's advantage in the space of generative AI usage.

2. Growth of New Entrants

While ChatGPT remained the leader, other AI tools gained notable traction. Canva, Google Translate, and JanitorAI were the next three tools with the greatest traffic after ChatGPT. Notable in the report, JanitorAI, Gemini, and Perplexity AI boasted triple digit year-over-year growth—indicating growing interest in niche AI tools beyond the traditionally popular chatbot AI applications.

3. User Behavior Change

Data showed a conspicuous decline in traffic to previously popular tools, such as Character AI, Midjourney, and Chegg, indicating some shifting user needs and/or competition in this market space. This indicates the importance of ongoing assimilation to competition, and continued innovation in the AI industry.

4. Geographical Distribution
The United States led AI adoption, accounting for 17.26% of global traffic, followed closely by India and Brazil. This highlights the increasing role of emerging markets in AI adoption and suggests growing digital transformation efforts in these regions.

5. Category Trends
Among AI tool categories, text generators dominated, making up 53.26% of all AI tool traffic. This underscores the persistent demand for AI-powered content creation, likely fueled by the need for efficiency in industries such as marketing, media, and software development.

Market Implications and Future Outlook

The report’s findings suggest that AI adoption is not only expanding but also evolving, with newer tools gaining market share alongside established giants. The surge in Q4 web traffic indicates strong momentum heading into 2025, potentially driven by advancements in AI models, increased enterprise adoption, and broader integration across consumer applications.

Moreover, as competition intensifies, AI firms will need to differentiate themselves through enhanced functionality, ethical considerations, and cost-effectiveness. The decline of some AI platforms serves as a cautionary tale—user engagement is fluid, and sustained growth hinges on continued innovation.

For businesses and developers in the AI space, these insights provide a valuable benchmark for understanding user behavior and planning strategic investments in AI-powered solutions. With real-time analytics now shaping the industry's trajectory, keeping a pulse on shifting trends will be crucial for sustained success.