The rebranded social media platform X (formerly Twitter) recently reported record-high usage in 2024, highlighting a 10% year-over-year increase in daily active user seconds and a significant boost in video views. While these metrics underscore X’s ambitious claims, conflicting data from third-party analytics raises questions about the platform’s true growth trajectory.
X’s performance comes at a time when platforms like Threads and Bluesky are steadily gaining traction. Meta’s Threads, for instance, has witnessed a remarkable surge in growth, positioning itself as a formidable rival. This intensifying competition forces X to prove its resilience in a crowded social media landscape.
What’s the Real Story?
X’s internal data reveals that users collectively spend 364 billion seconds daily on the app, equating to an average of 24 minutes per day for its reported 250 million daily active users. Despite this achievement, these numbers fall short of the 30-minute-per-day average claimed earlier in 2024.
Third-party reports, however, paint a contrasting picture. Analytics suggest that X has been losing millions of users weekly, with users migrating to platforms like Threads, known for its simpler interface, and Bluesky, offering decentralized social media experiences. Such discrepancies raise questions about whether X is overstating its engagement metrics or if external data providers lack full access to X’s user activity.
Industry expert Sarah Davis explains, “It’s common for platforms to showcase metrics that favorably highlight user engagement. However, X’s reliance on ‘active user seconds’ rather than more transparent metrics like monthly or daily active users sparks debate about its actual growth.”
The Broader Trends in Social Media Usage
X’s growth comes amidst broader changes in social media habits. Users increasingly prefer platforms that prioritize personalized content, community engagement, and privacy. Competitors like Threads leverage these preferences to attract new audiences, challenging X to innovate and retain its user base.
Moreover, X’s rebranding efforts, including a shift towards long-form content and monetization tools for creators, aim to appeal to diverse user demographics. However, some users criticize X for controversial policy changes that allegedly impact the user experience.
If you’re navigating the social media landscape as a business or creator, staying active on multiple platforms can help you reach a wider audience. Whether you focus on X or experiment with alternatives like Threads, strategic engagement is key.Looking to boost your presence across platforms? Partner with Reviews Me to enhance your social media engagement through authentic reviews and comments, tailored to your target audience.
Author Bio:
John Smith is a seasoned journalist with over 8 years of experience covering social media trends and digital platform innovations.