What's Happening?
Meta's social media platform, Threads, has reportedly surpassed Elon Musk's platform, X, in terms of daily mobile users. According to data from Similarweb shared by TechCrunch, Threads reached 141.5 million
daily active iOS and Android users globally as of January 7th, compared to X's 125 million users. This milestone was achieved after a consistent growth period, rather than a sudden spike due to recent controversies surrounding X. However, X still maintains a larger mobile user base in the U.S., although Threads is closing the gap. Despite this success on mobile, Threads lags significantly behind X in web traffic, with X attracting 145.4 million daily web visitors compared to Threads' 8.5 million as of January 13th.
Why It's Important?
The shift in mobile user numbers highlights a significant development in the competitive landscape of social media platforms. Meta's Threads gaining ground on X in mobile usage suggests a potential shift in user preferences and engagement strategies. This could impact advertising revenues and market positioning for both companies. For Meta, the challenge remains to convert this mobile success into broader engagement across platforms, particularly in web traffic where X still holds a substantial lead. The competition between these platforms could drive further innovation and changes in user experience as they vie for dominance in the social media space.
What's Next?
Meta will likely focus on strategies to increase Threads' web traffic to match its mobile success. This could involve enhancing web features or integrating more interactive elements to attract users. Meanwhile, X may need to address the decline in its mobile user base, potentially by improving its mobile app experience or launching new features to retain and grow its audience. Both companies will continue to monitor user engagement trends closely, adapting their strategies to maintain or improve their market positions.
