Meta’s social networking platform, Threads, has recently hit a major milestone by reaching 275 million monthly active users, a notable achievement in its rivalry with X (formerly Twitter). This progress was shared on Sunday by Adam Mosseri, the Head of Threads and Instagram, who expressed his gratitude to users for their support and acknowledged that there is still work to be done to improve the platform.
Threads was launched by Meta in July 2023 as a direct competitor to X. The app’s launch was strategically timed after X saw a wave of user exits following Elon Musk’s takeover, which led to a change in the platform’s culture and policies. With a seamless sign-up process, particularly for existing Instagram users, Threads managed to attract over 100 million users within the first week. However, as the initial excitement faded, the platform experienced a dip in user engagement as some early adopters migrated to other social networks or returned to familiar platforms.
In response to these fluctuations, Meta’s CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, reassured investors about Threads’ performance, indicating that the platform was growing steadily in line with his expectations. During an earnings call in April 2024, Zuckerberg announced that Threads had already surpassed 150 million monthly active users and noted that the platform’s popularity was also enhanced by cultural touchpoints, such as high-profile users joining the platform. He highlighted, for example, how Taylor Swift’s presence on Threads was well-received by her fans and signified the platform’s increasing relevance in pop culture.
Related Post: Meta suspends jet-tracking accounts for Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, and celebrities on Instagram and Threads
To retain and grow its user base, Meta has been proactive in introducing new features on Threads. One significant addition has been its integration with ActivityPub, a de-centralized protocol that powers platforms like Mastodon, enabling users to connect across various platforms within the Fediverse. In March, U.S.-based users over the age of 18 were granted the ability to link their Threads accounts to this de-centralized network. This feature allows posts from Threads to be shared on other connected servers, aligning with Meta’s broader vision of supporting open internet standards.
In terms of user growth, the social media platform has made impressive strides. By July, it had already reached 175 million active users, and in the months since, it has grown to 275 million—a 57.14% increase within a short timeframe. This growth demonstrates Threads’ appeal to users seeking alternative social networking spaces, as well as Meta’s efforts to maintain momentum with regular updates and a commitment to decentralized social networking.
