Twitter Traffic Declining as Meta’s Threads Surges Past 100 Million Users
Twitter has experienced a slowdown in user traffic since the launch of Meta’s text-based platform, Threads, which has already surpassed 100 million sign-ups. Threads, which was introduced in the U.S. last week, is being promoted by Meta as a more positive and interactive public square for communities that have not fully embraced Twitter.
According to data from Similarweb, web traffic to Twitter dropped by 5% during the first two days that Threads became readily available. Additionally, compared to the same days in 2022, Twitter’s web traffic has decreased by 11%. While Twitter did not provide a comment on this matter, Meta’s CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, celebrated Threads’ success in a recent post, stating that it reached 100 million sign-ups within just five days, primarily driven by organic demand.
One reason for Threads’ rapid growth can be attributed to its association with Meta’s Instagram. Users are able to sign up for Threads using their existing Instagram handles and maintain some of their following from the platform. This integration has likely played a significant role in attracting users to Threads.
According to Matthew Prince, the chief of internet services company Cloudflare, Twitter’s website traffic has been declining since the beginning of 2023. Prince shared a graph illustrating the decreasing popularity of Twitter, which coincided with negative changes made to the platform by Elon Musk and the launch of Threads, a rival platform owned by Meta.
Mark Zuckerberg himself has been critical of the toxicity often associated with Twitter and believes it has hindered the platform’s success. However, despite positioning Threads as a kinder alternative, there are concerns about the moderation of the platform. Some far-right accounts have reportedly tested Threads’ moderation policies, attempting to get banned as a badge of honor.
While some users are eager to embrace alternative platforms like Threads, BlueSky, and Mastodon, others remain loyal to Twitter. The internet is filled with various social platforms catering to different user preferences, and it seems that each platform has its own unique strengths and weaknesses.
In conclusion, Threads’ rapid growth and popularity have had an impact on Twitter’s user traffic. While Twitter faces challenges in retaining users and addressing concerns about toxicity, Threads is attracting millions of sign-ups within a short period. This indicates a shifting landscape in the digital sphere and highlights the diverse options available to users seeking engaging online communities.
Disclaimer: This article presents a balanced view of the topic by including perspectives from various sources. The views and opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher.
