The dominance of OpenAI's ChatGPT in the artificial intelligence chatbot market is facing a significant challenge. According to fresh data from the web analytics firm Similarweb, ChatGPT's share of global website traffic has now fallen below the 70% mark. This decline coincides with a notable rise in the user base of competing platforms, primarily Google's Gemini and Elon Musk's xAI Grok.
The Evolving AI Chatbot Market Share
The report from Similarweb paints a clear picture of a rapidly changing competitive field. Just one year ago, the scenario was vastly different. ChatGPT commanded a dominant 87.2% of all traffic in this sector, leaving its rivals in the dust. At that time, Google's Gemini managed to attract only about 5.4% of users.
Other players, including Perplexity, Claude, and Copilot, collectively accounted for roughly 5% of the traffic. However, the tide began to turn by the middle of the year. User exploration of alternatives led to ChatGPT's share dipping below 80% for the first time. This period also witnessed the rapid ascent of DeepSeek, which quickly captured over 5% of the traffic share.
The launch of DeepSeek's low-cost, open-source AI model in January 2025 was a major market event, significantly impacting tech stocks and shaking investor confidence in established players. Furthermore, the November 2023 debut of xAI's Grok added another formidable competitor to the mix, intensifying the battle for user attention.
Current Standings: A New Competitive Order
As of December 5, the landscape looks markedly different. While ChatGPT remains the market leader, its traffic share has settled at 68%, according to the Similarweb data. The primary beneficiary of this shift appears to be Google's Gemini, which now holds a solid second position with a 20% share of the audience.
Perhaps the most dramatic growth story is that of Grok. The Similarweb report indicates that Grok has nearly tripled its market presence in just the last six months, demonstrating strong momentum and growing user adoption. This three-way race indicates a maturing market where users are actively comparing and choosing between different AI assistants based on features, accessibility, and performance.
Feature Wars: The Race for AI Supremacy Heats Up
The competition is not just about market share; it's also a fierce battle of technological upgrades and viral features. In a recent move, xAI launched its Grok 4.1 model for all users, boasting superior capabilities in creative and emotional interactions, along with better understanding of nuanced user intent.
Not to be outdone, OpenAI rolled out its new GPT-5.1 models, named GPT-5.1 Instant and GPT-5.1 Thinking. These models are designed to offer users greater personalization, allowing them to adjust the AI's tone and style for a more tailored experience.
Google's Gemini also made headlines with its 'Nano Banana' feature, which became an unexpected viral sensation online, showcasing how platform-specific innovations can capture public imagination and drive engagement. This constant cycle of updates highlights the intense pressure on companies to innovate continuously to attract and retain users in this fast-paced sector.
The data underscores a pivotal moment for the generative AI industry. The era of a single, unchallenged leader is over, making way for a more diverse and competitive ecosystem. As major tech giants and ambitious startups pour resources into development, users can expect more advanced, specialized, and accessible AI tools in the near future, fundamentally reshaping how we interact with technology.
