Muse Surpasses ChatGPT In US Downloads

Muse, a new app from Meta, has seen more downloads in the US than ChatGPT did in its first 40 days, according to estimates from Sensor Tower, a market intelligence company, reported by Search Engine Watch. This comparison gives retailers an early indication of the audience using Meta's agent. The figures are based on proprietary panels and data science models.

The US comparison between Muse and ChatGPT is notable, but it is also important to consider that ChatGPT had a broader launch, reaching markets such as Japan, Brazil, and Germany. This means that the US download numbers only tell part of the story. ChatGPT had about 15 million worldwide downloads in its opening 40 days.

Meta is investing heavily in advertising to attract users to Muse, with the app receiving 39% of Meta's US advertising spend in October, up from 23% in September. This significant advertising spend provides context for the download figures. However, it is unclear how many of these downloads were driven by ads versus other acquisition routes.

In terms of user retention, Muse has seen 30% of users return after seven days and 23% return after 14 days. These numbers give a sense of ongoing use, but do not reveal what tasks users are performing with the app. Retailers need to consider how users are interacting with Muse and how it affects their shopping habits.

Muse is designed to assist with shopping by filling out forms and preparing purchases, with users having the final say in approving sensitive actions like buying something. This changes the way retailers need to approach reaching this audience, as product recommendations must be able to survive the agent's attempt to use the merchant's site and the customer's approval.

Muse can also be used by businesses, with connections to services like Shopify and Meta business accounts, allowing it to access operational data with the owner's permission. This enables businesses to use Muse for tasks such as analyzing campaign performance and drafting advertising. Business owners must approve actions that publish, send, or spend, giving them control over how Muse is used.

The ability of Muse to connect to business services and perform tasks like campaign analysis and ad drafting is a key aspect of its functionality. This allows businesses to leverage Muse for a range of purposes, from shopping to marketing. As Muse continues to evolve, retailers will need to stay up-to-date on its capabilities and how they can effectively reach and engage with users.