Anthropic's Claude Got 11% User Boost from Super Bowl Ad Mocking ChatGPT's Advertising

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by EditorDavid

February 14, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

Anthropic’s chatbot, Claude, saw a significant surge in popularity following its Super Bowl ad that humorously poked fun at ChatGPT. According to CNBC, website visits increased by 6.5% immediately after the broadcast, while daily active users jumped by 11%. This boost propelled Claude into the top 10 free apps on the Apple App Store, outperforming competitors like OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini. Despite this success, Claude still lags behind ChatGPT in terms of user base. The Super Bowl ad campaign not only boosted Anthropic’s visibility but also sparked a heated response from OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. While Altman admitted the ads were “funny” and “deceptive,” he criticized Anthropic for targeting affluent users and attempting to control how others use AI. In contrast, OpenAI emphasizes free access to its technology, with more Texans using ChatGPT for free than total U.S. users of Claude. The ad’s impact was particularly notable in the U.S., where over 125 million viewers tuned into the Super Bowl. Competitors like ChatGPT and Gemini also saw smaller boosts—2.7% and 1.4% increases, respectively—but Anthropic’s campaign proved most effective. This highlights the power of viral marketing in tech, even when targeting a niche audience. The broader significance lies in the competitive landscape of AI development. Anthropic’s bold move underscores the importance of standing out in a crowded market. While OpenAI focuses on accessibility and free use, Anthropic is positioning itself as a premium service for those willing to pay. The fallout between the two companies also raises questions about control over AI usage and business models. This story matters because it illustrates how marketing strategies can rapidly shift user metrics in tech, even when pitting established players against newer competitors. The battle between Anthropic

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Originally published on Slashdot on 2/14/2026