Meta AI’s app downloads and daily users spiked after launch of ‘Vibes’ AI video feed

Recent findings reveal a remarkable surge in the usage of Meta AI’s mobile application across iOS and Android platforms. Data from market analysis firm Similarweb shows that daily active users for the app soared to 2.7 million as of October 17, a significant rise from approximately 775,000 just a month prior. Furthermore, the app is experiencing an impressive influx of new downloads, with daily installs now reaching around 300,000, up from less than 200,000 in previous weeks. To put this in perspective, on the same date last year, the app recorded a mere 4,000 daily downloads. Although Similarweb's analysis suggests there hasn't been a notable connection to search or advertising metrics, it speculates that Meta may be leveraging promotions through Facebook or Instagram, which might not be reflected in their data. One key factor contributing to this spike appears to be the introduction of the Vibes feed on September 25, which features short-form AI-generated videos. This new addition seems to align perfectly with the increase in daily active users on both major mobile platforms. In a related development, the recent launch of OpenAI's video generator, Sora, drew significant attention as its app quickly ascended to the top of the App Store, prompting users to explore this new technology. Speculatively, Meta AI may have also benefited from the buzz surrounding Sora. While Similarweb does not assert a direct cause-and-effect relationship, it is conceivable that the excitement over Sora led users to explore Meta AI as a comparative option. Additionally, Sora's invite-only access may have spurred potential users to seek alternatives, thereby inadvertently boosting Meta AI's user base. As of mid-October, Meta AI's app reported a 15.58% increase in daily active users globally, while rivals such as ChatGPT, Grok, and Perplexity experienced declines of 3.51%, 7.35%, and 2.29%, respectively.