According to public posts on social platforms, Perplexity’s global app downloads reportedly fell by 80% over the last six weeks — a steep decline that has raised eyebrows in the AI community
This drop comes after a period of surge in downloads — including a spike when the app saw heavy adoption following certain initiatives earlier this year.
🧐 Why Might Downloads Be Falling
Several factors may have contributed to the sudden drop:
- Competition from other AI apps and tools: The rise in popularity of rival AI apps — especially as others add new features or shift strategy — may be diverting users away from Perplexity. Industry-wide shifts in user preferences can strongly influence download trends. For instance, a major competitor’s surging user base has coincided with declines across some peers. TechCrunch
- User churn or dissatisfaction: Among some of the community feedback, there are signs that certain users stopped using Perplexity in favor of alternate tools for AI-powered search or workflows.
- Temporary spikes followed by natural normalization: Past boosts — e.g. after a promotional deal or partnership — may have inflated download counts temporarily; once that effect fades, numbers might revert to a more modest baseline.
- Regulatory and trust or privacy concerns — or feature limitations: As with many AI platforms now scrutinized for how they source content or manage data, user caution can lead to drop-offs, especially if perceived value doesn’t match evolving expectations. Perplexity has faced legal and scraping-related controversies before.
📊 What the Drop Means for Perplexity and Users
For Perplexity:
- This kind of steep decline could weaken growth narrative and reduce leverage with investors or partners, especially if the trend continues over months.
- It may push the company to reevaluate its product offering — possibly improve features, user retention strategies, or marketing — to re-engage users or attract new ones.
- It could impact the company’s efforts around monetization (ads, subscriptions or enterprise licensing) if fewer new users onboard.
For Users and the Market:
- Some users may view Perplexity as less “trendy” or less relevant compared to newer AI-search or assistant alternatives.
- For developers, content creators, and businesses relying on visibility in AI-powered search results — a drop in user base can translate to reduced referral traffic or reach.
- The decline reminds stakeholders that the AI-search/app market remains volatile — success depends not just on initial hype or download surges, but on sustained value and adaptability.
🔮 What’s Next for Perplexity
To recover or adapt, Perplexity might:
- Launch new features (improved UI, privacy controls, better AI models) to win back users.
- Introduce incentives or partnerships (e.g. with telecom providers, publishers) to boost adoption again.
- Focus more on retention — ensuring that existing users stay engaged rather than just chasing download numbers.
- Shift strategy toward enterprise or niche segments (research, education, professional usage) where value may be more consistent than mass downloads.
✅ Conclusion
The reported 80 % drop in downloads over just six weeks signals a turbulent phase for Perplexity. While the AI-search boom had propelled the platform earlier this year — especially in markets like India — recent trends show how fragile growth can be in a rapidly evolving field. Whether Perplexity rebounds will depend on its ability to innovate, re-engage users, and deliver consistent value beyond the hype.
