Meta’s Threads Surpasses ChatGPT, Becomes Fastest App to Reach 100M Users
Meta’s latest social media venture, Threads, has achieved a remarkable feat by surpassing 100 million users within just five days of its launch, dethroning OpenAI’s ChatGPT as the fastest-growing consumer product. The app, which aims to become a platform for public conversations with a billion users, has garnered significant attention and organic demand since its release on July 6, 2023.
Mark Zuckerberg, the CEO of Meta, shared the exciting milestone through a post on Threads. Notably, he mentioned that much of the app’s success has come from organic growth, with many promotional efforts yet to be activated.
In comparison, OpenAI’s ChatGPT, a generative AI-based chatbot, achieved 10 million daily users in 40 days and reached 100 million daily active users within two months after its launch. At the time, ChatGPT had become the fastest company to reach 100 million daily active users, outpacing established social media giants like Instagram and TikTok.
In contrast, as of July 2022, Twitter had a total of 240 million daily active users, according to company filings. However, since the launch of Threads, web analytics company Similarweb reports an 11% decrease in Twitter’s web traffic compared to the previous year.
In an interview with The Verge, Adam Mosseri, the CEO of Instagram, revealed that Threads intentionally avoids news and politics. Mosseri emphasized that the app’s focus on such content would invite excessive scrutiny, negativity, and compromise the integrity of the platform.
In response to Threads’ success, Twitter has accused Meta of utilizing its trade secrets during the development of the new social media venture. Twitter has demanded that Meta cease using confidential data and has threatened potential legal action against the Elon Musk-led company.
Numerous alternatives to Twitter have emerged since Elon Musk’s acquisition of the social media giant for $44 billion in October of the previous year. Musk’s controversial decisions have alienated some Twitter users and advertisers, leading to the exploration of alternative platforms.
This news showcases the rapid growth and immense interest surrounding Meta’s Threads, signaling the potential for a significant shift in the social media landscape. The app’s intentional focus on public conversations, combined with its avoidance of news and politics, offers users a unique experience.
However, it is important to note that Twitter remains a dominant force in the market with a substantial user base. The allegations against Meta highlight the struggle among social media platforms to maintain proprietary information and navigate competitive landscapes successfully.
As Threads continues to gain momentum, it will be fascinating to witness its impact on the social media ecosystem and whether it can challenge the established players in the long run. Regardless, Meta’s achievement of 100 million users in just five days solidifies Threads’ position as an emerging contender in the world of public conversations.
