Pew Research Center’s latest data confirms that X (formerly Twitter) retains a significant user base in the United States, even with the emergence of rivals like Threads and Bluesky. The findings underscore the platform’s resilience despite substantial changes under Elon Musk’s ownership and ongoing competition in the short-form, real-time text space.
X’s Staying Power
The study reveals that 21% of US adults currently use X, a figure that has remained remarkably stable over the past few years. In contrast, Threads has captured just 8% of the US adult population, while Bluesky trails behind at 4%. Truth Social, another alternative platform, reaches only 3% of US adults. This persistence is striking, especially considering the significant disruption following Musk’s acquisition and rebranding of Twitter in October 2022.
The Rise and Fall of Alternatives
The past two years have witnessed a flurry of attempts to unseat X, with platforms like Mastodon, Spill, Post, T2 (Pebble), and Hive all entering the fray. Many of these ventures have since failed, highlighting the difficulty of breaking X’s established network effects. Meta’s Threads, despite its vast resources, has yet to make a substantial dent in X’s dominance.
Broader Trends in Social Media Usage
While X maintains its position, YouTube and Facebook continue to reign supreme as the most widely used platforms, with 84% and 71% of US adults reporting usage, respectively. Instagram (50%), TikTok (37%), WhatsApp (32%), Reddit (26%), and Snapchat (25%) also see substantial adoption. Notably, TikTok, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Reddit have all experienced significant growth since 2021, demonstrating the dynamic nature of the social media landscape.
“The data illustrates how entrenched X remains, even in the face of aggressive competition and internal upheaval.”
The slow decline in X’s usage — from 23% in 2021 to 21% today — suggests that while some users may have experimented with alternatives, a substantial portion has remained loyal. This highlights the challenges for any platform looking to truly displace X in the US market.
The enduring popularity of X underscores the power of first-mover advantage and network effects in social media. Despite controversies and policy changes, a significant segment of the population continues to rely on X for real-time updates and discussions, making it a tough competitor to unseat.
