Threads, Meta’s latest partner app, burst into the social media scene with an impressive launch, leaving experts projecting an $8 billion revenue by 2025.
At the current rate of sign-ups, Threads may surpass Twitter’s monthly active users by September.
Threads’ entry into the market was nothing short of spectacular, amassing over 100 million users within the first five days of its release.
With over 150 million downloads, the app’s growth rate outpaces the record-breaking launch of Pokémon GO in 2016, making Threads 5.5 times faster in terms of user acquisition and overtaking ChatGPT to become the fastest app to reach 100 million users.
During its first partial week of availability, Threads recorded approximately 93 million active users globally, a figure that surpassed the official announcement of 100 million sign-ups on July 10.
Over 95 million posts were published on Threads in the first 24 hours.
The app has garnered significant popularity in various countries, with India leading the downloads at 33%, followed by Brazil (22%), the U.S. (16%), and Mexico and Japan at 8% and 5% respectively.
In response to user feedback and demands, Threads recently received its first significant update, providing support for iOS 17 in public beta and implementing minor changes.
The app’s future plans include further enhancements, such as a following feed, an edit button, multi-account support, and integration with ActivityPub, the protocol behind the decentralized Twitter alternative, Mastodon.
These updates are expected to enhance user experience and potentially contribute to the app’s long-term retention and growth.
While Threads’ initial growth has been remarkable, its long-term retention remains uncertain.
Recent reports indicate that Threads lost half of its daily active users in just ONE WEEK, sparking debates and raising questions about the app’s future.
In the world of social media, the rise and fall of platforms can be swift and surprising. Threads, once hailed as a formidable competitor to Twitter, may be facing the end of its honeymoon phase as it struggles to maintain its user base.
According to Similarweb’s report, Threads’ daily active users plummeted from 49 million to 23.6 million in just one week.
The decline in user engagement is evident not only in the number of users but also in the daily minutes of use, which dropped from 21 minutes to just over 6 minutes during the same period.
With the decline in user numbers, brands and marketers are left pondering whether Threads is still a platform worth investing in.
The app’s user base is perceived to be more friendly and leisurely, with a majority of users migrating from Instagram.
This shift in audience preferences and content strategies may prompt brands to reevaluate their marketing approach on Threads.
However, the platform’s allowance for longer text posts could present an opportunity for brands to explore in-depth content and engage in interactive discussions with their followers.
Experts and observers are divided in their opinions about Threads’ potential as a long-term competitor to Twitter. Some remain skeptical about its ability to sustain its user base, especially given the concerns surrounding features and user retention challenges.
On the other hand, some see Threads as a credible alternative to Twitter, particularly as public opinion about the latter declines.
While the platform’s initial surge showcased its potential, the recent downturn has left many questioning its future.
With concerns over user retention, data privacy, and competition with Twitter, the road ahead for Threads is uncertain.
As the dust settles, only time will tell if Threads can reclaim its position and rise above the controversies to become a credible and lasting competitor in the ever-evolving social media landscape.
The social media world is a constantly shifting landscape, and even the most promising platforms must navigate challenges to stay afloat.
So, let’s keep an eye on Threads and see how it weathers this storm.
Will it rise again, or will it become another tale of a promising trend that tumbled?
Only time will tell.
