Temu’s ascent to the top spot is a testament to its growing popularity among American consumers, overtaking not just TikTok but also Meta’s Instagram Threads, which now holds the second position. This reshuffling at the summit of app downloads showcases the varied interests of users and the competitive strategies employed by app developers to capture attention.
Instagram Threads moved up a notch from its third-place position in 2023, indicating a solid user base and consistent performance. Meanwhile, TikTok has seen a decline amid ongoing regulatory challenges, including threats of a U.S. ban, settling for the third rank this year.
ChatGPT and Other Major Players
Interestingly, 2024 also marked a significant year for AI-driven applications, with ChatGPT emerging as the fourth-most downloaded app in the U.S. This is a remarkable achievement for the AI chatbot, which did not make it to the top 10 in the previous year. Its position even surpassed Google’s own Search app, signaling a strong consumer interest in AI-driven interactive technology.
Meta platforms still feature prominently in the top downloads, with Instagram and WhatsApp holding strong at the sixth and seventh positions, respectively. Other notable apps in the top rankings include ByteDance’s CapCut, YouTube, Gmail, Google Maps, Shein, and Facebook, which landed at the thirteenth spot.
Gaming Favorites and Apple’s Editorial Choices
On the gaming front, the U.S. saw a surge in downloads for titles like Block Blast!, which led as the top downloaded free game, followed by Monopoly Go!, Roblox, Call of Duty: Warzone Mobile, and Township. The popularity of these games reflects the broadening appeal of mobile gaming across diverse genres and age groups.
Apple’s year-end list also highlighted the top paid games and apps, along with favorites from Apple Arcade, underscoring the company’s commitment to promoting a variety of content. Among Apple Arcade titles, NBA 2K24 Arcade Edition took the top spot, with other games like Snake.io+, Hello Kitty Island Adventure, Sneaky Sasquatch, and Bloons TD 6+ also making the list.
Looking Ahead
The trends observed in 2024’s app download data suggest a dynamic interplay between established social media platforms, emerging shopping apps like Temu, and innovative technology solutions like AI chatbots. As the digital landscape continues to evolve, consumer preferences will likely dictate the next wave of leading apps and games, making the app marketplace an exciting field to watch in the coming years.
