AI apps evolve fast—and sometimes, one new trend is all it takes to spark global user growth. When OpenAI’s GPT-4o model introduced its Ghibli-style image generation in late March, it quickly triggered a surge of user interest—and app downloads.
Insightrackr takes a close look at recent trends in AI app marketing and how brands like ChatGPT, Remini, and ToonMe leveraged social media buzz to scale fast
ChatGPT’s Ghibli-Style Image Surge
On March 26, OpenAI launched GPT-4o for image generation in ChatGPT. This upgrade made it easier for users to generate images during conversations in real time, improving both user experience and output speed.
Soon after, Ghibli-style images generated by ChatGPT flooded social media. These images drew global attention, fueling a major spike in app downloads.
According to Insightrackr, daily downloads jumped from under 3 million to over 5 million at peak, holding above 4 million for nearly a month before dropping in early May.
This surge in downloads lasted for nearly a month, remaining above 3 million per day until early May. The sustained momentum highlighted ChatGPT’s strong global appeal.
During this period, ChatGPT's ad campaigns capitalized into this trend.
Insightrackr observed creatives that clearly showcased ChatGPT’s ability to produce a wide range of image styles—including the popular Ghibli aesthetic—highlighting OpenAI’s quick response to emerging user interests.
Remini Rides the Wave
As the Ghibli-style image trend sparked by ChatGPT swept across social media, a wave of AI apps centered on image processing seized the moment to ride the momentum.
Remini quickly picked up on the trend. Best known for last year’s viral “clay filter,” the app seized this new opportunity with smart positioning and timely campaigns.
Insightrackr data shows that Remini’s daily downloads nearly doubled in late March. This sharp increase coincided with a new wave of ad creatives.
Unlike ChatGPT’s broad creative focus, Remini emphasized its core strength: enhancing real human photos. Ads showed eye-catching before-and-after visuals and framed Remini as a tool for upgrading personal images—perfect for social sharing.
|
|
Many of its creatives mimicked native social content, tapping into users’ desire to stay on trend. This strategy helped Remini stand out in the competitive AI image editing market.
ToonMe’s Comeback Story
One of the most surprising breakout cases was ToonMe, an app developed by PHOTO LAB DMCC.
While it had previously run ad campaigns, its daily downloads often stayed under 10,000 throughout most of 2024, and by October, ad spend had gradually tapered off and eventually stopped.
But the Ghibli-style trend brought the app back to life. ToonMe swiftly reactivated its ad spend and launched a fresh wave of creatives featuring Ghibli-style video transformations.
|
|
According to Insightrackr data, its daily downloads skyrocketed from under 15,000 to nearly 600,000 in just 10 days—a 40x growth.
Even more notable: the growth wasn’t a one-off. In late April, daily downloads remained above 400,000, showing that this was a sustained trend.
Behind this momentum was ToonMe’s sharp read of social media culture. After gaining traction with Ghibli-style visuals, the team continued exploring new formats in tune with user interests.
By mid-April, the app began shifting toward Action Figure-style visuals, another trend sparked by ChatGPT.
In a clever twist, it used ad copy like “Tired of Ghibli trend? Try dolls!”, subtly suggesting that a new trend was emerging and appealing to users eager to stay ahead of social media trends. This strategy kept engagement high and fueled further growth.
What's Next?
Starting in late April, ToonMe began testing Simpsons-style visuals. However, recent download data suggests these creatives haven’t matched the performance of previous hits like Ghibli or Action Figure themes.
Meanwhile, Remini has taken a more emotional approach. Recent creatives emphasize the ability to generate videos from still images, showcasing scenarios like fans "meeting" idols or hugging loved ones through AI-generated clips. These life-inspired angles appeal to users on a personal level.
|
|
Other major AI image editing apps like Picsart and Photoroom continue to focus on professional design capabilities—highlighting features like AI background removal, product image generation, and logo creation to meet professional needs.
|
|
From ChatGPT’s trend-setting release to Remini’s smart positioning and ToonMe’s agile pivot, one thing is clear: In the AI app space, those who stay in tune with user behavior and move quickly can capture explosive growth.
For more global mobile marketing data and trends, follow Insightrackr or Signup Now for a free trial.