Google's Gemini AI reaches 950 million monthly users, nearing billion-user milestone

Google said its Gemini AI assistant had surpassed 950 million monthly active users in Q2 2026, up from over 750 million reported in February, and said Gemini's user base had tripled year-over-year. TechCrunch reported that Gemini developed a strong iOS user base alongside launches such as the Nano Banana image generation model, while Appfigures estimated that the app had been downloaded over 137 million times on iOS during the preceding 12 months. According to Sensor Tower, Gemini's share among AI assistant apps rose to 27.7% in the first half of 2026 as ChatGPT's share fell below 50%. Alphabet reported Q2 capital expenditures of $44.9 billion and revenue of $119.8 billion, up 24% year-over-year.

Gemini user growth milestone

• ▪Google said Gemini's user base had tripled year-over-year
• ▪Google's Gemini monthly active users grew to over 950 million in Q2 2026 from 750 million reported in February 2026
• ▪Google disclosed during its Q2 2026 earnings call that its Gemini AI assistant has surpassed 950 million monthly active users
• ▪According to Appfigures, the Gemini app was downloaded over 137 million times on iOS in the 12 months preceding July 23, 2026

Gemini versus ChatGPT competition

• ▪According to Sensor Tower, Gemini's market share among AI assistant apps rose to 27.7% in the first half of 2026
• ▪According to Sensor Tower, ChatGPT's market share among AI assistant apps fell below 50% for the first time in the first half of 2026
• ▪OpenAI's ChatGPT reached 1 billion monthly active users in June 2026

Gemini personalization features

• ▪TechCrunch reported that Gemini developed a strong iOS user base alongside launches such as the Nano Banana image generation model
• ▪Google introduced agentic features to Gemini, including Daily Brief and a personalized agent named Gemini Spark, which are available in the U.S. and internationally

AI integration with Search

• ▪Google's Q&A-style AI search mode crossed 1 billion users in Q2 2026
• ▪Google's search revenue grew 17% year-over-year to $63.3 billion in Q2 2026
• ▪Google said hardware engineering improvements had reduced the cost of operating AI Mode despite the introduction of new models and features

Google AI infrastructure investment

• ▪Alphabet reported Q2 2026 revenue of $119.8 billion, representing a 24% annual increase
• ▪Alphabet raised its full-year spending forecast for 2026 to between $195 billion and $205 billion
• ▪Alphabet's capital expenditures doubled year-over-year to $44.9 billion in Q2 2026, driven largely by AI infrastructure investments