ChatGPT was the most downloaded app in the world last month, with 52 million installs, outpacing TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook. But what’s more interesting than the download count is why people are using it. A recent report from SEO firm FirstPageSage shows that over half of ChatGPT users aren’t just messing around—they’re using it for general and academic research.

So, while social media apps still dominate attention, a growing number of users are turning to ChatGPT when they need answers. And it’s happening fast. 16 percent of users are based in the US, which suggests that this shift in search habits isn’t a niche trend, but a sign that AI tools are starting to change how people look things up.