South Korea's Zeta AI Chat Outpaces ChatGPT in User Engagement
South Korea's AI Chat Landscape Sees Local Champion Emerge
New market data reveals an intriguing development in South Korea's competitive AI chat sector. The domestic platform Zeta has surpassed global giant ChatGPT in total user engagement time, marking a significant milestone for locally-developed artificial intelligence tools.
The Numbers Tell the Story
According to comprehensive research by Wiseapp・Retail covering over 51 million mobile users:
- Zeta recorded 73.62 million hours of usage in October
- ChatGPT followed with 48.28 million hours
- Other competitors trailed significantly: Crack (8.98M), Grok AI (1.95M), CHATIE (1.83M)
The findings suggest Korean users are increasingly embracing homegrown solutions that potentially better understand local language nuances and cultural contexts.
Active Users Paint a Fuller Picture
While Zeta leads in engagement duration, ChatGPT still dominates in:
- Monthly active users (21.25 million vs Zeta's 3.36 million)
- Brand recognition internationally
The disparity suggests Zeta's core users are exceptionally engaged, spending considerably more time with the platform than ChatGPT's broader but potentially more casual user base.
What This Means for the AI Chat Market
The Korean market appears to be developing distinct characteristics:
- Local preference is strengthening: Domestic products gain traction against global leaders
- Engagement matters: Time spent may become as important as user counts
- Specialization pays: Platforms catering to specific linguistic/cultural needs find audiences
- The field remains dynamic: With multiple competitors showing growth potential
The rise of Zeta demonstrates how regional players can carve out significant space even against well-funded international alternatives.
Key Points:
- South Korea's Zeta leads ChatGPT in total usage hours (73.62M vs 48.28M)
- ChatGPT maintains higher monthly active users (21.25M vs 3.36M)
- Market shows strong preference for localized AI solutions
- Engagement metrics becoming crucial differentiators
- Competitive landscape continues evolving rapidly
