Threads vs. X: Instagram's Alt-Twitter App Dominates with Threefold Daily Downloads

Instagram's Threads, developed by Meta, has surged ahead in the competitive landscape of alternative Twitter apps, boasting triple the daily downloads of X (formerly Twitter) globally on iOS and more than double on Google Play.

This shift signals a significant development, particularly given the historical rivalry between Threads and X. Following a notable surge in installations after its public launch in the summer of 2023, Threads experienced download fluctuations, often coinciding with Meta's promotional strategies through Facebook and Instagram. However, Threads' performance began to change towards the end of last year.

(Photo : KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP via Getty Images) A photo taken on February 22, 2024 shows the logo of US online social media Threads on a smartphone screen in Frankfurt am Main, western Germany.

Threads Downloads Continue to Surge

By late December of 2023, Threads had consistently garnered over half a million daily installs on Google Play and iOS. Despite a slight decline in January on iOS, Threads maintains higher daily downloads across both platforms compared to X, indicating a widening gap. For instance, on Feb. 25, Threads recorded 486,803 installs on Google Play and 342,228 on iOS, nearly triple the iOS downloads and more than double the Google Play downloads of X.

The upward trend in Threads' daily installation rates suggests a potential shift in monthly active users over time, posing a challenge to Twitter's longstanding dominance. This would grant Meta greater control over the information-sharing landscape as Threads becomes the preferred microblogging platform.

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg revealed Threads' achievement of 130 million monthly active users in the fourth quarter, with positive reception observed in markets like Japan. In contrast, X claimed 500 million monthly active users in the fall, but doubts linger about the authenticity of these figures due to reported issues, including a verified bot problem.

X's rebranding from Twitter may explain its download challenges, affecting numbers despite some growth in December 2023 and January 2024. In the decentralized alternatives competition, Threads dominates, surpassing Mastodon's 1 million monthly users. At the same time, Bluesky struggles to match Threads or X. Bluesky, despite an initial surge post-launch, may gain traction with its recent federation opening, allowing users to run Bluesky servers.

Toning Down Political Content

Meta, the parent company overseeing Instagram and Threads, is revising its approach to political content recommendation. Instagram and Threads will no longer actively suggest political posts to users, according to Instagram chief Adam Mosseri. Instead, users can opt-in to view political content through app settings.

While users will still encounter political content from accounts they follow, Meta will no longer actively boost such posts across its platforms. This change, set to roll out gradually, particularly impacts public accounts where Meta's algorithms influence content suggestions.

Platforms like Instagram's Reels, Explore, and suggested users on Threads will undergo adjustments. Although specific criteria for defining "political" content weren't outlined, Meta clarified that it includes election-related topics and social issues.

TechTimes earlier reported that X experienced a remarkable download surge after Tucker Carlson announced his interview with Russian President Vladimir Putin early this month. Reacting to the feat, X Owner Elon Musk declared the social media app's status as the "#1 most downloaded app of any kind!"