DeepSeek’s Short-Lived Buzz: Study Finds Why ChatGPT Still Reigns Supreme

When DeepSeek first entered the scene, it arrived with fanfare and a wave of optimism. Touted as a formidable alternative to ChatGPT and developed at a fraction of the cost, DeepSeek enjoyed a flurry of media attention and market hype. Experts hailed it as a leap forward, and early user data seemed to support the narrative. For the first two to three weeks post-launch, the app showed promising adoption and usage trends.

But as the initial excitement wore off, the numbers told a different story. According to insights from Bobble AI’s Market Intelligence Division, DeepSeek's engagement metrics began to nosedive after the third week.

The platform simply couldn’t sustain the buzz it had generated at launch. While there were occasional spikes in engagement, these were not strong enough to maintain momentum or rival the consistency of ChatGPT.

ChatGPT Holds Its Ground

Looking at session metrics side-by-side, the contrast becomes more stark. ChatGPT not only had a higher number of sessions per user, but users also spent significantly more time on it.

The average session duration for ChatGPT was nearly double that of DeepSeek. Even during DeepSeek’s peak period, user engagement remained patchy and unsteady, indicating that while curiosity may have drawn people in, it wasn’t enough to keep them there.

“The report shows that duality between marketing and performance, the data reflects how marketing can create an initial excitement around a product, however, the long-term performance of a product will be dictated by several other important factors, such as performance,” said Ankit Prasad, Founder and CEO of Bobble AI. “Hence, this is an extremely important lesson for brands, wherein they need to focus on the overall performance of a product, to get sustainable long-term traction for the product.”

DeepSeek’s Uphill Battle

Despite a low-cost build and early acclaim, DeepSeek faces an uphill climb if it hopes to compete with ChatGPT in the long run. While the platform did manage to impress in its early days, sustaining user interest has proven to be its biggest challenge. With a notable drop across metrics like open rates, average session durations, and repeat usage, it’s evident that the app hasn’t yet offered enough value to prompt users to shift loyalties.

The future may still hold potential for DeepSeek, but it’s clear that product refinement and a stronger user retention strategy are non-negotiable. Otherwise, the app risks becoming yet another fleeting challenger overshadowed by ChatGPT’s enduring popularity.

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