Google's AI Chatbot Sees Traffic Boom After Rebranding
In the world of technology, a name change can be a gamble. But for Google's AI chatbot, the switch from Bard to Gemini appears to be a winning bet. Recent traffic data reveals a surge in interest following the rebranding, highlighting the potential power of a well-chosen name.
A New Name, a New Spark
On February 8th, Google swapped Bard for Gemini. According to Similarweb, a web analytics company, traffic to the AI chatbot began climbing almost immediately. This upswing culminated on February 22nd, coinciding with controversy surrounding Google's image generation tool. On that day, Gemini saw a peak of 17.5 million visits. While traffic has settled to a current 13.2 million daily visits (as of March 3rd), this still represents a significant increase compared to Bard's average. It seems the name change has sparked renewed interest and exploration of Google's AI offering.
The AI Landscape: A Battle for Users
Despite the recent boost, Gemini remains the third-place contender in the AI chatbot race. The undisputed leader, ChatGPT, continues to
dominate the scene. Notably, ChatGPT's traffic has even surpassed that of search engine Microsoft Bing, a milestone achieved after their
initial traffic parity in March 2023.
Looking at specific user numbers, ChatGPT usage in the US reached record highs in February 2024, with a staggering 208.8 million visits.
This translates to a year-over-year increase of 87% and a 15% jump from the previous month. Globally, ChatGPT hasn't quite reached its May
2023 peak of 1.8 billion visits, but February 2024 still saw a respectable 1.6 billion visits.
Beyond the Big Two: A Look at Emerging Players
ChatGPT's success extends beyond just basic chatbot functionality. Their recently launched "GPTs" have garnered attention. These "personalized agents" cater to a wide range of tasks, from logo design and translation services to even (somewhat surprisingly) matters of the heart – all for a $20 monthly subscription with ChatGPT Plus.
Microsoft's Copilot: A Different Approach
Microsoft's AI offering, Copilot, takes a distinct approach. Integrated within the broader Bing ecosystem, Copilot isn't a standalone destination. Similarweb describes it as a "distinct destination for accessing AI functionality," suggesting it's part of a larger Microsoft strategy to seamlessly integrate AI features into existing products like Office and developer/designer tools. This strategy might not generate the same kind of headline-grabbing traffic numbers as ChatGPT, but it could potentially reach a wider audience through established Microsoft products.
March 20, 2024 0 500
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