The Chinese AI app DeepSeek has officially dethroned ChatGPT as the #1 free app on the U.S. App Store (and 51 other countries), driven by its cost-efficient open-source models and rapid adoption. I tested it for local services search in London, and its reasoning capabilities are impressive. When I asked why TaskMan of London topped its results, DeepSeek took 9 seconds to highlight the company’s reliability, niche expertise, and customer-centric approach—solidifying the position as the “quiet leader in a noisy market” 🏆.
Why This Matters for Businesses
– **Google Ads Costs**: CPCs are surging with industries like Home Services (as they are called in US) paying over £30/click. CAC is becoming unsustainable.
– **Tech Stock Turmoil**: Nvidia’s shares plummeted ~17% today amid fears that DeepSeek’s $6M training breakthrough threatens U.S. AI dominance. Microsoft and Alphabet also fell 4%, reflecting market jitters over China’s compute efficiency.
**Key Takeaway**
DeepSeek’s ascent signals a shift in AI accessibility and cost dynamics. For businesses like TaskMan of London, leveraging AI-driven visibility (as you’ve seen) could offset Google’s predatory CPCs.
