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Sensor Tower: Consumer Spending on Apps Soared in 2024 and Mobile Rode the Wave of AI Enthusiasm

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Consumer spending on mobile apps hit $150 billion, while time spent on AI apps spikes by +300%

SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Sensor Tower, a leading provider of data on the digital economy, today released its annual State of Mobile report for 2025. The report reveals that in 2024 consumer spending on in-app purchases and subscriptions hit $150 billion globally, an increase of 13% year-over-year (YoY). Consumers also remain as connected to their smartphones as ever, with 4.2 trillion (+5.8% YoY) total hours spent on mobile worldwide last year. However, app downloads fell slightly to 136 billion (-1.0% YoY).

The findings of the report show that for the fourth consecutive year growth in consumer spend on non-gaming apps outpaced games, with spend in non-games increasing by nearly $14bn in 2024 (25% YoY growth). Film & Television Streaming ($11.9bn) and Social Media ($11.7bn) were, by a considerable margin, the two largest subgenres by consumer spend in 2024. 

However, it was AI Chatbots that stole the show in 2024. A surge of interest in generative AI saw consumers spend nearly $1.1bn (+200% YoY) in apps such as ChatGPT, Google Gemini and Doubao, growing at a rate that could catapult the subgenre into the top ten by consumer spending within just a year. Time spent in AI apps like Character AI and ChatGPT nearly eclipsed 7.7 billion hours, and apps mentioning AI were downloaded 17 billion times, emphasizing the growing appetite among consumers for AI features at their fingertips.  

“Apps continue to capture consumer attention, particularly in non-games. And as consumers spend more time on mobile, they are becoming far more comfortable making purchases on their devices,” said Oliver Yeh, Chief Executive Officer and Cofounder, Sensor Tower. “Apps have shifted their monetization strategies to capitalize on this increased attention, finding innovative ways to streamline and improve consumers’ digital experience. As we look ahead, we expect to see more apps experiment with AI, finding novel and creative ways of incorporating the technology.”

Interestingly, though the report points to signs of consumer digital fatigue in top app categories like streaming where engagement is experiencing a slight pullback from recent highs, it also highlights the success of apps that improve in-person customer experiences. Many of the fastest growing categories connect users across devices or to their in-person experiences. Food & Drink app downloads (+8.5% YoY) and session count (+9.2% YoY) saw accelerated growth as more companies integrated the app into the customer buying process.

More key findings include:

 New Billion Dollar Club Members: Four games and one app: Last War, Whiteout Survival, Dungeon & Fighter, Brawl Stars, and WeTV were the latest to reach the billion-dollar club, surpassing $1 billion dollars for consumer spend for a calendar yearThe AI Takeover: ChatGPT has reached 50 million (+500% YoY) Monthly Active Users faster than Temu, Disney+ and YouTube MusicApps Offer Financial Services Convenience: Led by the popularity of digital wallets and mobile banking, finance apps maintained double-digit growth YoY for time spent, and approached 7.5 billion downloads (+8% YoY)Cryptocurrency Apps Establish Global Appeal: Binance (6th) and Tonkeeper (9th) rank among the top 10 finance apps by downloads in 2024Chinese E-tailers Boost Retail Globally: Temu and SHEIN continue their expansion into Europe, Latin America and Asia, ranking first and second respectively for top app downloads in the retail subgenreA Saturated Streaming App Market: While streaming mobile apps have seen ongoing growth in in-app revenue and downloads, engagement is falling as users experience “digital fatigue”. The absence of switching costs has made it challenging for newer and smaller platforms to drive loyalty and subscriber growth

Sensor Tower’s 2025 State of Mobile Report delves deep into regional and category-level market trends. For more information on sector and specific app performance read the full report, here.

About Sensor Tower

Sensor Tower is the leading source of mobile app, digital advertising, retail media, and audience insights for the largest brands and app publishers across the globe. With a mission to measure the world’s digital economy, Sensor Tower’s award-winning platform delivers unmatched visibility into the mobile app and digital ecosystem, empowering organizations to stay ahead of changing market dynamics and make informed, strategic decisions.

Founded in 2013, Sensor Tower’s mobile app insights have helped marketers, app, and game developers demystify the mobile app ecosystem with visibility into usage, engagement, and paid acquisition strategies. Today, Sensor Tower’s digital market insights platform has expanded to include Audience, Retail Media, and Digital Advertising Insights (formerly Pathmatics), helping brands and advertisers understand their competitor’s advertising strategies and audiences across web, social, and mobile.

Please visit www.sensortower.com.

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SOURCE Sensor Tower

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LEAP Group Relaunches HumanView, a Growth Intelligence System Built to Explain Why Customers Behave the Way They Do

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5 hours ago

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October 24, 2026

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Reimagined from the ground up, HumanView pairs statistical modeling with expert analysts to turn millions of real-world customer signals into business decisions

LOUISVILLE, Ky., Oct. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — LEAP Group today announced the relaunch of HumanView, its growth intelligence service. The new version has been rebuilt from the ground up and now has a dedicated home at leapgroupnetwork.com/humanview.

HumanView analyzes what customers say and do across social platforms, e-commerce sites, review platforms, search behavior and user-generated content, including signals from Reddit, TikTok, YouTube, Meta, Amazon and Walmart+ that general AI tools cannot always access. Because the data reflects unprompted, real-world behavior, it avoids the response bias built into surveys and focus groups.

The service works in three layers. HumanView captures signals at scale, decodes millions of records through validated statistical models such as regression, correlation and clustering, and then relies on experienced analysts to interpret the patterns. Clients receive clear, human-validated insights instead of another dashboard.

“Machines find the patterns. Humans find the point,” said Alan Gilleo, CEO at LEAP Group. “The first version of HumanView showed us how much customers reveal when nobody is asking them questions. This version is built to explain why they act the way they do, and to put those answers in front of everyone making decisions, from product to service to marketing.”

HumanView focuses on three areas:

Growth Intelligence: customer motivations and how people perceive a brand and its competitors

Market and Category Intelligence: product pain points, service friction, unmet needs and competitive gaps

Audience Intelligence: new segments, positioning opportunities and gaps in the market

Every model is designed and validated by data scientists and benchmarked before it informs a recommendation.

To learn more about HumanView, visit leapgroupnetwork.com/humanview.

About LEAP Group
LEAP Group is a boutique marketing agency holding company with offices in Louisville, Indianapolis, Cincinnati and Chicago. Guided by the belief that brands should “Market Less. Matter More.,” LEAP gives clients access to specialized experts across its entire network. Learn more at leapgroupnetwork.com.

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SOURCE LEAP Group

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STEPHEN A. SMITH ADDRESSES WHITE HOUSE DINNER ATTENDANCE, REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO HBCUs AND PROTECTING CORPORATE INVESTMENT IN BLACK EDUCATION

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October 24, 2026

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NEW YORK, Oct. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Stephen A. Smith, media mogul, New York Times bestselling author, and proud 1991 graduate of Winston-Salem State University, is addressing the public discussion surrounding his decision to attend a White House dinner with President Donald Trump, emphasizing his commitment to the long-term financial stability of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

For Smith, the decision was rooted in a commitment to institutions that have educated generations of Black leaders, professionals, entrepreneurs, and public servants.

“I will always advocate for HBCUs and the students whose futures depend on them,” Smith said. “My reason for attending the White House dinner was to discuss the challenges these institutions face in securing long-term funding and to make the case that corporate America must continue to invest in them.”

Smith acknowledged federal support through the FUTURE Act while expressing concern that political tensions surrounding diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) could discourage private companies from supporting HBCUs. He maintains that these institutions deserve sustained corporate partnerships, philanthropic contributions, and public investment.

“If we truly believe in free-market capitalism, businesses should be able to support educational institutions and charitable causes without fear of criticism or repercussions,” Smith said. “HBCUs have made extraordinary contributions to this country. They deserve sustained public and private investment.”

Ashley Christopher, Esq., Founder and CEO of the HBCU Week Foundation, recognized Smith’s advocacy and decision to engage with the administration.

“Stephen A. Smith has been a powerful advocate for HBCUs, using his platform and influence to shine a national spotlight on our institutions,” expressed Christopher, “His continued support of HBCU Week helps advance our mission of connecting students with life-changing educational opportunities, and we are proud to have him as our ambassador.”

Since Smith became an HBCU Week Ambassador in 2019, the initiative has facilitated more than 15,000 on-the-spot college acceptances and raised and awarded more than $150 million in scholarships, according to the HBCU Week Foundation.

As public discussion continues, Smith is emphasizing the importance of ensuring HBCUs have the resources and partnerships needed to educate future generations and expand opportunities for students.

CLICK HERE to watch Smith’s full response to his White House visit.

MEDIA CONTACT:

media@mrsasinc.com

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SOURCE Straight Shooter Media

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Advantex Announces Completion of Financing and Extension of Maturity Date of Previously Issued Debentures

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6 hours ago

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October 24, 2026

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TORONTO, Oct. 23, 2026 /CNW/ — Advantex Marketing International Inc. (CSE: ADX) (“Advantex”), a leader in the merchant cash advance and loyalty marketing products for merchants, today announced the completion of a $250,000 secured debt financing. Advantex issued a $250,000 non-convertible debenture which bears an interest rate at 12% per annum and matures December 15, 2027. The proceeds raised from this issuance of the Debenture will be used for working capital purposes.

Advantex has also extended the maturity of its existing $700,000 in 12% secured debentures from October 10, 2026 to December 15, 2027.

About Advantex Marketing International Inc.

Advantex provides working capital to merchants. Advantex also provides specialized marketing programs that enable members of Aeroplan to earn Aeroplan points at participating merchants.

Advantex shares trade on the Canadian Securities Exchange under the symbol ADX. For more information go to Advantex’s profile on www.sedar.com

Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of applicable securities laws relating to the future business and operations of Advantex. Actual results and developments may differ materially from those contemplated by these statements. The business and operations of Advantex described herein is dependent on a number of factors and is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. Factors that could cause actual results to differ material include, but are not limited to, changes in Advantex’s economic and competitive conditions including but not limited to the industry sectors in which Advantex operates.

The statements in this news release are made of the date of this release. Forward-looking statements are made based on management’s beliefs, estimates and opinions on the date the statements are made and Advantex undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements if these beliefs, estimates and opinions or other circumstances should change, except as required by applicable law.

SOURCE Advantex Marketing International Inc.

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