Threads, Meta’s text-based social media platform that launched in 2023 as a competitor to Elon Musk-owned
Key data
Threads surpassed X in number of average daily active users on mobile devices globally during the month of October, according to data from Similarweb; the Meta-owned platform had an average of 128.2 million users per day, while Musk’s X had 124.7 million users per day.
At the beginning of October, the difference between the two platforms was minimal, but Threads continued to widen its lead over
In September, Forbes reported, citing data from Similarweb, that Threads surpassed
The usage trend has continued for more than a year, as Threads — which benefits from heavy cross-promotion on Meta’s sister platform Instagram — has increased steadily over time, while X’s has decreased, according to Similarweb. Threads’ number of daily mobile users worldwide rose 48% year-over-year through October, while X’s fell 16%.
In what ways does X still have an advantage over threads?
According to data from Similarweb, X far surpasses Threads in web traffic. In October, X had an average of 141.7 million daily web users, while Threads only had a fraction of that number, with 7.6 million daily active users. X also beats Threads on mobile in the US, although the gap has narrowed over time. In October, X had an average of 21.4 million daily active users on US mobile devices, while Threads reached 16.6 million. Total US mobile users of
More context: Threads finally surpasses X: Zuckerberg’s platform surpasses Musk’s in daily users
How has Threads managed to become a rival to X?
Upon launching in July 2023, Threads sought to capitalize on user discontent with X, months after Musk purchased and relaunched Twitter. Musk revamped many of the platform’s features, including its verification process and content moderation practices, causing some disgruntled users to abandon it. Zuckerberg took digs at X when promoting the new platform, posting a meme on X of two identical Spider-Men pointing at each other on the day of Threads’ launch. The Threads app was downloaded 30 million times on its first day. Threads also benefits from its tight integration with Instagram, a more popular platform than X and Threads, with 968.6 million daily active users on mobile devices worldwide as of October. Threads describes itself as “Instagram’s text chat app,” according to its description in the App Store, and users can log in with their Instagram credentials. Mark Mahaney, senior managing director and internet research analyst at Evercore ISI, previously told Forbes that Threads’ integration with Instagram is a “huge advantage” in attracting new users, stating that Meta can “shunt you away from that massive platform and toward Threads.”
What do we know about the rivalry between Zuckerberg and Musk?
The battle between Threads and They also got into a dispute over artificial intelligence in 2017, when Zuckerberg called Musk a “skeptic” for his calls for AI regulation, while Musk criticized Zuckerberg for having limited knowledge of the technology. The billionaires even talked about facing each other in a fight in 2023; UFC president Dana White offered to host the fight, although it was ultimately canceled after Musk announced he needed surgery.
Forbes Rating
Musk is the richest person in the world, with an estimated fortune of $503.9 billion as of Monday. Much of his wealth comes from his 12% stake in Tesla and 42% in SpaceX. Zuckerberg is the fifth richest person in the world, with an estimated fortune of $223.2 billion as of Monday, according to Forbes. He owns 13% of Meta’s shares.
This article was originally published by Forbes US
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