On September 15, Google Gemini climbed to the number one position on the App Store's free app chart in Vietnam, followed by VTV Go and ChatGPT.

Google’s AI chatbot is also topping download charts in major markets including the US, UK, Canada, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, and Australia.

Nano Banana sparks social media frenzy

Gemini’s rapid ascent is largely attributed to the release of Nano Banana, an AI-powered image editing feature launched in August. The feature has ignited a new social media craze, similar to last summer’s “Ghibli Studio” trend that helped boost ChatGPT’s popularity.

One of the hottest trends involves transforming selfies into hyper-realistic 3D models, complete with acrylic display bases and collectible-style packaging.

Users simply upload a photo to Gemini, type in a creative prompt, and the app generates a stunning image in seconds. These creations are being shared rapidly across platforms, fueling demand.

According to 9to5Google, from August 26 to September 9, Gemini added 23 million new users, with over 500 million images edited using Nano Banana during that period.

Free users can create or edit up to 100 images per day, while subscribers paying $19.99 per month can generate up to 1,000.

A fierce battle in the chatbot arena

Gemini’s rise illustrates the intensifying battle for dominance in the AI chatbot space. While ChatGPT still commands the largest global user base, Google is leveraging its strengths in multimodal AI and deep integration across its product ecosystem.

Meanwhile, Grok - the chatbot developed by X (formerly Twitter) and backed by Elon Musk - is still struggling to gain market share.

Musk has repeatedly accused Apple of favoring OpenAI and hindering Grok’s visibility on the App Store. In August, he even filed a lawsuit against Apple for alleged anti-competitive behavior.

However, Gemini’s sudden rise, along with several other AI apps entering the top rankings, has challenged Musk’s accusations of bias.

Analysts believe Gemini’s early success stems from the synergy between robust AI capabilities and viral social trends - showing that winning in the AI space requires both cutting-edge tech and cultural relevance.

Demis Hassabis, CEO of Google DeepMind, proudly shared Gemini’s achievements on social media, declaring that this is “just the beginning.”

Google is expected to roll out more innovative features in the coming months to keep momentum going.

But the key question remains: can Gemini hold on to the top spot in the face of ChatGPT and other emerging competitors - or is this just a temporary boost from a fleeting image trend?

Du Lam