OpenAI’s ChatGPT Search has experienced a sharp rise in popularity across Europe, with average monthly active users growing from 11.2 million in October 2024 to 41.3 million by March 2025. This rapid adoption highlights increasing European interest in AI-powered search alternatives, particularly among users seeking more conversational or personalized information retrieval. OpenAI released this data to meet the European Union’s transparency requirements under the Digital Services Act (DSA), which mandates that companies disclose usage statistics and other operational details for their platforms.
As ChatGPT Search approaches 45 million active users in Europe, it is on the verge of being classified as a “Very Large Online Platform” (VLOP) under the DSA. This designation would impose stricter obligations, such as allowing users to opt out of algorithmically personalized recommendation systems, providing greater data access to independent researchers, and following heightened transparency and risk mitigation standards. If the trend continues, OpenAI may soon need to make significant adjustments to ensure compliance with European regulations, signaling a new phase of operational and governance challenges for AI-driven platforms expanding internationally.
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