Google Gemini [Reuters=Yonhap News File Photo]

With the proliferation of generative artificial intelligence (AI), the number of Google app users in South Korea has surpassed that of Naver for two consecutive months.

According to Mobile Index, an AI tech firm, on the 3rd, the monthly active users (MAU) of the Google app reached 47,677,456 in August.

The MAU for the Naver app was 47,253,614, meaning Google had 423,842 more users.

Google first overtook Naver in July with an MAU of 47,022,854 compared to Naver's 46,845,017, and it further widened the gap in August.

The growth in Google app users is analyzed to be influenced by the expanded use of generative AI services, including Gemini, and AI search features.

This reflects a trend where usage patterns are broadening beyond simple information searches to include inquiries and task assistance through conversational AI.

However, it is worth noting that Google's app MAU is an integrated metric that includes not only search services but also usage of services pre-installed on Galaxy devices, such as Google Assistant and Gemini.

Therefore, some point out that it is difficult to definitively equate the number of app users with search market share or the competitiveness of individual services.

Naver is also assessed to be maintaining its domestic user base.

The average daily active users (DAU) of the Naver app in August was 26.81 million, an increase from the same month last year (26.35 million).

Its MAU also increased from 45.24 million in August last year to 47.25 million in August this year.

Some in the industry suggest that the increase in Google app users is merely an indicator of the growth of the AI market and changes in information-seeking habits, and does not signify a decline in Naver's user base or influence.

An IT industry official commented, "The recent sharp increase in Google app users and their usage time is a notable change, but it should be viewed as an indicator of the growth of the AI market and shifts in how information is searched."

Nevertheless, the fact that Google has outperformed Naver for two consecutive months can be seen as an example of how generative AI is bringing changes to the way domestic users search for information and navigate resources.

An industry insider stated, "We will need to watch further to see if this user trend continues, depending on the proliferation of AI search functions and Naver's response."