Threads users halved in wake of launch
Threads, the app linked to Instagram that was hailed as a potential “Twitter killer,” has been experiencing a significant decline in users, according to analytics company Similarweb. Daily active users on Threads dropped to 23.6 million on July 14, compared to a peak of 49 million on July 7. In contrast, Twitter had around 107 million users on July 14. Threads’ average usage time also decreased from 21 minutes on July 7 to just six minutes on July 14. The app’s decline comes as Meta, Facebook’s parent company, faces legal threats from Elon Musk and Twitter over allegations of trade secret theft. However, Meta has yet to comment on the decline in Threads’ users and usage time.
FAQs:
1. What is Threads?
Threads is an app linked to Instagram that allows users to quickly share photos, videos, and messages with close friends.
2. Why did Threads experience a decline in users?
The app’s daily active users dropped significantly from a peak of 49 million to 23.6 million on July 7 and July 14, respectively. The exact reasons for the decline are unclear, but the decrease in usage time and competition from Twitter may have played a role.
3. Was Threads considered a potential “Twitter killer”?
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg had high hopes for Threads as a competitor to Twitter, but the app has failed to live up to those expectations.
4. Are there any legal issues surrounding Threads?
Elon Musk’s legal team has threatened to sue Meta for allegedly hiring away former Twitter employees and stealing trade secrets. However, these legal threats are currently separate from the decline in Threads’ users.
5. How does Threads compare to Twitter in terms of users and usage time?
Threads’ daily active users were only a fraction of Twitter’s, with Twitter boasting around 107 million users on July 14. Additionally, usage time on Threads decreased from 21 minutes on July 7 to just six minutes on July 14, while Twitter’s average usage time was around 25 minutes when Threads’ reached its peak.
6. How does Instagram factor into Threads’ decline?
Threads is linked to Instagram and requires users to have an Instagram account. Initially, the close ties between the two platforms contributed to Threads’ popularity. However, some users were disappointed to learn that deleting their Threads account also meant deleting their Instagram profile.
7. What is Meta’s response to Threads’ decline?
Meta has yet to comment on the decline of Threads. However, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has previously emphasized the importance of Threads being a “friendly” and less controversial platform than Twitter. The company aims to keep it user-friendly as it expands, believing that this will be the key to success.
Launch leads to 50% decrease in Threads users
Threads, the app linked to Instagram, is not living up to its potential as the “Twitter killer” that Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg had hoped for. According to analytics company Similarweb, the app has seen a significant decline in daily active users since its initial popularity at the beginning of the month. On July 14, Threads’ daily active users dropped to 23.6 million, compared to a peak of 49 million on July 7. In contrast, Twitter had about 107 million users on July 14. The tech titans, Zuckerberg and Elon Musk, have been engaged in a heated rivalry over their respective apps, with rumors of a potential legal battle and even a cage match brawl. However, the decline in Threads’ user base may diminish the urgency of this conflict. Not only are fewer people logging onto Threads, but those who do are spending less time on the app. On July 14, users spent only six minutes on the app, compared to 21 minutes on July 7. In comparison, the average time spent on Twitter during Threads’ peak was about 25 minutes. Similarweb’s data also revealed that even on Threads’ best days, Twitter’s daily active users remained relatively stable, although time spent on the platform decreased by 4.3%. Musk has disbanded Twitter’s PR team, and both he and Zuckerberg have remained silent on the matter recently. The decline in Threads’ Android user base from 49 million to 23.6 million between July 7 and 14 raises questions about the app’s future success. However, Similarweb’s data does not take into account Apple users, making it difficult to fully assess the situation. Twitter’s retention of new users has also seen a decline, whereas new Instagram users have remained loyal. This may benefit Threads due to its close ties to Instagram, as users must have an Instagram account to create a profile on the new app. However, users were disappointed to discover that they would have to delete their Instagram account if they wanted to get rid of their Threads account. Similarweb attributes Twitter’s slight dip in usage to users exploring Threads but quickly losing interest due to its limited features. Instagram head Adam Mosseri has dismissed claims that Threads was trying to mimic Twitter and emphasized that the focus is on building new features and improving performance. Zuckerberg also emphasized the need for Threads to be “friendly” and avoid controversial topics, in contrast to the contentious nature of Twitter. It remains to be seen whether Threads will ultimately succeed or fail in its mission to compete with Twitter.