After X’s recent modifications, including using user posts to train the Grok chatbot, many users have voiced dissatisfaction. As a result, many have sought out other platforms, with Threads and Bluesky emerging as the top alternatives. Threads has capitalized on this shift, quickly becoming a competitor in the social media space. Offering a similar experience to the early days of Twitter, Threads provides a user-friendly environment that many find appealing. The app has even updated to include new features, such as the ability to customize feeds to only display content from users they follow, a highly requested feature.

The impressive growth of Threads has sparked high expectations for the platform. With a surge in new users, Meta is hopeful that Threads will achieve the same success as its other major platforms, such as Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, all of which boast over 1 billion users. The rapid growth of Threads also aligns with Meta’s goals to further expand its dominance in the social media market. Instagram CEO Adam Mosseri revealed that Threads added 15 million new users in just the first two weeks of November, signaling that Threads is gaining serious traction.

Threads’ Growing Popularity Amid Controversy

The surge in Threads users is largely due to the ongoing controversies surrounding Elon Musk’s leadership of X. Many users have been unhappy with the recent changes, including the monetization of posts and data privacy concerns. Threads offers a refreshing alternative with a focus on user experience and privacy. The app’s resemblance to early Twitter has made it a popular choice for people looking for a more transparent and engaging platform.

With the US Presidential Election approaching, Threads has also seen increased traffic as users seek to stay informed and engaged in a space where discussions are less restricted. Bluesky and Threads are seen as the perfect alternatives to X, and both platforms are expected to continue growing as users seek out better options for online expression.

Threads on Track to Compete with X

Before setting this new record, Threads already boasted 275 million active monthly users, a 175% increase from the previous year. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has expressed confidence that Threads will become the next major social media app within the company’s portfolio. On average, more than 1 million users are signing up for Threads every day, which showcases the app’s rapid expansion and popularity.

Despite X’s larger user base, Threads is quickly closing the gap. According to Sensor Tower, X currently has around 318 million monthly active users, but this represents a 24% decline compared to when Elon Musk acquired Twitter in October 2022. The competition between Threads and X is heating up, and Meta’s new platform appears poised to continue gaining ground as more users seek a better alternative to the platform under Musk’s control.