U.S. Internet: Consumer AI Usage Tracker - 3Q26 update

Few areas of the Internet are evolving as quickly as consumer AI. In this recurring tracker, we monitor the key app and web metrics across major AI platforms to help investors follow adoption trends, gauge competitive momentum, and identify the winners and losers as the category matures. ChatGPT remains the clear leader in consumer AI, maintaining a dominant position across downloads, MAU, and DAU globally and in the US, accounting for ~64% of global AI app MAUs and ~60% in the US, with the highest DAU/MAU ratios (~40-45%) and 7-day retention rates (~25-30%). Gemini has established itself as the clear No. 2 player globally, while the US market remains more competitive with Claude gaining traction. Between August 2025 and August 2026, ChatGPT's global MAU share declined from 78% to 64%, while Gemini increased from 19% to 26%;