OpenAI User Base Shrinks 6% Following Gemini 3 Launch, Report Says
In a significant shift for the AI landscape, Google has unveiled its latest model, Gemini 3. This offering has been lauded as Google’s “most intelligent” AI yet, quickly positioning itself to outpace competitors like ChatGPT, according to various AI leaderboards.
OpenAI Faces Challenges Following Gemini 3 Launch
As the competition intensifies, OpenAI has reportedly declared a “code red” in response to these challenges. This alarming announcement came via a leaked internal memo addressed to staff, highlighting the fierce rivalry with both Gemini 3 and Anthropic’s Claude.
Traffic Declines at OpenAI
Former Google employee Deedy Das shared on X that OpenAI has experienced a notable 6% decrease in traffic since the launch of Gemini 3. According to data from SimilarWeb, ChatGPT’s average daily visits dropped from 203 million to 191 million. This translates to a daily loss of approximately 12 million users, a trend that is significant, albeit possibly influenced by the recent Thanksgiving holiday.
Impact of User Feedback
The challenges for OpenAI began earlier this year when the release of GPT-5 received criticism for its less engaging tone compared to its predecessors. This backlash was substantial enough for OpenAI to revert to GPT-4o, highlighting the importance of user satisfaction alongside AI capabilities.
Growing Competition in AI
Despite earlier dominance, OpenAI now faces sharp competition as Gemini 3 has received commendation across numerous benchmark assessments since its late November debut. Google’s extensive resources, particularly in accessing vast training data, afford it a significant competitive edge.
Enterprise Sector Pressures
- Anthropic has reported over 300,000 business clients as of September 2025, including numerous Fortune 500 companies.
These figures illustrate why OpenAI’s noted decline in user traffic is alarming. In response, OpenAI is not idly observing. The company is pursuing strategic partnerships, recently cooperating with industry giants like Nvidia and Oracle to bolster its infrastructure.
Addressing Concerns
In November, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman addressed mounting concerns about an impending AI bubble and the potential for overreach within the organization. This proactive stance indicates that OpenAI is committed to maintaining its position in an increasingly competitive market.
As the landscape evolves, both user engagement and innovative capabilities will be crucial for OpenAI to navigate the ongoing challenges posed by new competitors like Google’s Gemini 3.
