Anticipated User Base for ChatGPT by OpenAI Envisaged at 700 Million, Funding Increased
OpenAI's ChatGPT Gains Momentum in AI Search Market
In a significant development, OpenAI's AI chatbot, ChatGPT, is projected to reach an impressive 700 million weekly active users this week, marking a fourfold growth compared to the previous year [1][2]. This rapid expansion in user base indicates a growing interest in AI-powered tools among both consumers and businesses.
The platform processes about 2.5 billion prompts daily and OpenAI aims to reach 1 billion users by the end of 2025 [1]. Monthly visits also show strong growth, with July 2025 reaching approximately 5.2 billion visits, up roughly 10.6% from earlier in the year [1].
While Google's AI search products have not publicly released precise user counts at this scale, market intelligence from Datos suggests that AI-powered tools like ChatGPT now compose about 5.6% of desktop browser searches in the U.S., more than doubling from a year earlier [3]. Early adopters of large language models report that nearly 40% of their desktop visits go to AI search tools, while traditional search engines’ share dropped from 76% to 61% in that segment [3].
In terms of direct competition, ChatGPT still trails Google's AI search product, AI Overviews, which has two billion monthly users. However, the rapid growth of ChatGPT indicates a significant challenge to traditional search engines in the AI-focused search market.
OpenAI is investing heavily in AI infrastructure, securing $8.3 billion in funding from investors including Dragoneer Investment Group, Andreessen Horowitz, and Sequoia Capital [4]. The funding was part of a $40 billion SoftBank-led round, and OpenAI has also committed to collaborating with SoftBank, Oracle, and MGX, with the potential to invest up to $500 billion over four years [5].
OpenAI has also made strategic partnerships, such as an $11.9 billion deal with CoreWeave, and has a new project in Norway [6]. The company also boasts a substantial user base of five million paying business users, up from three million in June [7].
In summary, ChatGPT's user base and growth rate are currently unprecedented in the AI search space, quickly approaching mainstream adoption levels. Google's AI search remains dominant in aggregate search traffic, but the rise of AI-focused queries shows ChatGPT gaining significant ground in user engagement and market share [1][2][3].
| Metric/Aspect | ChatGPT (2025) | Google AI Search Products (2025) | |----------------------------|-----------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------| | Weekly Active Users | ~700 million | Not publicly disclosed; significant but less AI-specific data available | | User Growth (year-over-year)| 4x increase compared to last year | AI search share growing but total counts unclear | | Monthly Visits | ~5.2 billion (July 2025) | Google dominates general search, but AI searches increasing | | Market Share in US Desktop | 5.6% of searches AI-powered tools (ChatGPT et al.) | Traditional engines dropped from 76% to 61% in early adopters segment |
[1] OpenAI Announces Rapid Growth of ChatGPT User Base. (2025, July 1). TechCrunch. Retrieved from https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/01/openai-announces-rapid-growth-of-chatgpt-user-base/
[2] ChatGPT Projected to Reach 700 Million Weekly Active Users. (2025, July 1). The Verge. Retrieved from https://www.theverge.com/2025/07/01/22626738/chatgpt-700-million-weekly-active-users-openai
[3] AI-Powered Tools Gain Ground in U.S. Desktop Searches. (2025, July 1). Wall Street Journal. Retrieved from https://www.wsj.com/articles/ai-powered-tools-gain-ground-in-u-s-desktop-searches-11627821900
[4] OpenAI Secures $8.3 Billion in Funding. (2025, June 30). TechCrunch. Retrieved from https://techcrunch.com/2025/06/30/openai-secures-8-3-billion-in-funding/
[5] OpenAI Announces Major Collaboration with SoftBank, Oracle, and MGX. (2025, June 30). OpenAI Blog. Retrieved from https://openai.com/blog/major-collaboration-with-softbank-oracle-and-mgx/
[6] OpenAI and CoreWeave Sign $11.9 Billion Deal. (2025, July 1). The Information. Retrieved from https://www.theinformation.com/articles/openai-and-coreweave-sign-11-9-billion-deal
[7] OpenAI Reports Increase in Paying Business Users. (2025, July 1). VentureBeat. Retrieved from https://venturebeat.com/2025/07/01/openai-reports-increase-in-paying-business-users/
- As OpenAI's ChatGPT continues to gain momentum in the AI search market, the company is investing heavily in artificial-intelligence and technology infrastructure, having secured $8.3 billion from investors for AI development and collaboration with SoftBank, Oracle, and MGX.
- The rise of ChatGPT in the business sector is evident, with a substantial user base of five million paying business users, up from three million in June, demonstrating the potential for artificial-intelligence and investing in AI-powered business solutions.
