Pew Research: X (formerly Twitter) Remains Popular in the US

X Maintains Dominance in U.S. Social Media Landscape

Recent data released by the Pew Research Center indicates that Threads and Bluesky still face a considerable challenge in surpassing X (formerly Twitter) in terms of U.S. user base.

The research incorporated inquiries about these emerging platforms for the first time, revealing that each is currently utilized by less than 10% of American adults.

X as the Leading Platform for Real-Time Updates

Despite not being among the largest social networks overall in the U.S., X remains the primary platform within the niche market of apps focused on concise, real-time text updates presented in a scrolling feed.

Increased competition emerged following Elon Musk’s acquisition and rebranding of Twitter to X in October 2022.

Changes to content moderation policies and a perceived shift towards more conservative viewpoints prompted some users to explore alternative platforms.

Rise and Fall of Twitter Alternatives

Alongside the growth of decentralized networks like Mastodon and Bluesky, several startups attempted to establish themselves as Twitter rivals, including Spill, Post, T2 (Pebble), and Hive.

However, a significant number of these ventures have since ceased operations.

Pew’s findings underscore the enduring strength of X’s market position.

Threads and Bluesky Lag Behind

Even Meta’s Threads, despite the company’s substantial resources, has yet to overtake X in user adoption, according to the report.

The data reveals that 21% of U.S. adults report using X, compared to 8% for Threads and 4% for Bluesky.

Truth Social has attracted 3% of U.S. adults.

Stable Usage Despite Competition

Interestingly, X has not experienced a substantial decline in usage despite the emergence of these competitors.

A previous Pew report from early last year indicated 22% usage among U.S. adults, while the 2021 report showed Twitter at 23% before the rebranding.

This suggests any decline in usage has been gradual.

Dominance of YouTube and Facebook

The report also highlights the continued dominance of YouTube and Facebook as the most widely used platforms by U.S. adults.

84% of U.S. adults utilize YouTube, and 71% use Facebook.

Growth in Other Platforms

Instagram is used by 50% of U.S. adults, TikTok by 37%, WhatsApp by 32%, Reddit by 26%, and Snapchat by 25%.

Increasing Adoption Rates

Many of these services have experienced growth in adoption over time.

TikTok has risen from 21% in 2021, and Instagram now reaches half of U.S. adults, up from 40% in 2021.

Approximately one-third of adults now use WhatsApp, an increase from 23% in 2021.

Reddit's Growth and AI Integration

Reddit, benefiting from content licensing agreements within the AI sector, has seen its user base grow from 18% in 2021 to 26% currently.

Teen Social Media Usage Differs

Social media usage patterns differ significantly among U.S. teens, where YouTube remains the top platform, followed by TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat.