Twitter Rivals Surge: Threads Hits 275M Users as Social Media Landscape Shifts
Staff Editor Twitter Alternatives Gain Traction as Social Media Landscape Evolves
In the wake of Elon Musk’s acquisition of Twitter, now rebranded as X, the social media landscape has undergone significant changes. Several platforms have emerged as potential alternatives, with Threads, Mastodon, and Bluesky leading the charge. However, not all contenders have survived, with platforms like Pebble (formerly T2) and Post News falling by the wayside.
Threads, launched by Meta, has emerged as a frontrunner with 275 million monthly users as of October 2024. The platform has committed to fediverse integration and features built around the ActivityPub protocol. Recent updates include scheduled posts, search enhancements, and custom feeds. Despite its rapid growth, Threads faces challenges in user retention and engagement.
Bluesky, relying on its decentralized AT Protocol, has seen significant user growth following the 2024 election. The platform has introduced new features such as restricted replies, video tabs, and moderation reports. Bluesky has reached over 30 million users and is actively addressing EU’s DSA complaints and moderation challenges. The company is also developing a video-first app and implementing new safety tools.
Mastodon, which had an established presence before Musk’s Twitter acquisition, has struggled to grow its active user base. Recent updates aim to improve user experience, and the platform continues to integrate with the fediverse while maintaining its nonprofit status. However, Mastodon faces ongoing challenges in content moderation and server maintenance.
X, formerly Twitter, remains a primary platform for content posting. Elon Musk’s vision for X as an “everything app” continues to shape its development, though changes have led to user migration to alternative platforms.
The social media industry is witnessing a rise in decentralized networks and increased interest in the fediverse. AI and content moderation play crucial roles in platform dynamics as competition intensifies to become the next major social network.
