Meta’s short-form social network, Threads, now boasts more daily active users on mobile devices than X (formerly Twitter). According to data from Similarweb, Threads reached 141.5 million daily active users on iOS and Android in January, exceeding X’s 125 million.
Mobile Dominance, Web Disparity
The shift is notable, as Threads has steadily gained mobile traction while X has experienced a slow decline over the past year. This growth is partly attributed to Meta’s strategic promotion of Threads across Facebook and Instagram, subtly redirecting users to the new platform. Many users report being funneled to Threads through links and suggestions on Meta’s other services.
However, the picture changes significantly when considering web usage. X still dominates desktop engagement with 145.4 million daily web visits in January, compared to Threads’ 8.5 million. This suggests that while Threads excels in mobile convenience, X retains a stronger presence for users who prefer web-based access.
Why This Matters
The trend highlights a growing user dissatisfaction with X, fueled by controversies surrounding its owner Elon Musk’s policies, privacy concerns, and the platform’s handling of AI-generated deepfakes through its Grok feature. The mobile user exodus from X to Threads underscores the importance of a stable, user-friendly platform experience in social media.
The split between mobile and web usage also reveals a deeper trend: mobile is where social interaction happens, while web remains the domain of dedicated users and information seekers. Threads’ success on mobile demonstrates the power of seamless integration with existing social ecosystems, while X’s web dominance suggests that dedicated communities and professional users still rely on its established platform.
The competition between Threads and X will likely intensify as both platforms adapt to evolving user preferences and technological challenges. The data confirms that while X remains a major force in web engagement, Threads is rapidly becoming the preferred choice for mobile social networking.
