Text-focused chatbots are losing the spotlight, with AI-powered image generators now driving the biggest spikes in mobile app growth. Data from Appfigures, a mobile app analytics firm, shows that new image-generation models lead to roughly 6.5 times as many downloads as typical chatbot model updates.
Apps like OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini see their largest download increases when they add new image tools, like Image 2.0, rather than when they only improve conversational quality, TechCrunch reports.
In the ChatGPT app, the launch of the image-capable GPT‑4o model brought more than 12 million extra installs in 28 days and about $70 million in additional consumer spending over the same period. Similarly, Google’s Gemini app gained over 22 million additional installs after introducing its Nano Banana, translating into roughly $181,000 in incremental revenue. Meta’s AI assistant and its “Vibes” feed also saw higher downloads.
Appfigures’ data suggests that smartphone users gravitate toward AI tools that let them generate images, memes, avatars, and marketing visuals rather than conventional text-based chatbots. Many believe that this behavior makes visual AI the key driver of attracting new users to consumer AI apps, even though the business models can be convoluted or unclear.
