Microblogging platform Twitter is currently experiencing a decline in traffic, as Meta’s newly launched Threads continues to gain traction since its launch.
According to IT service management company that provides content delivery network services and Cloud cybersecurity, Cloudflare, it disclosed that Twitter’s website is currently tanking.
On Sunday, co-founder and CEO of Cloudflare Matthew Prince posted a graph on Twitter, showing radar rankings, which reflected how popular domains performed recently.
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Twitter traffic tanking. https://t.co/KSIXqNsu40 pic.twitter.com/mLlbuXVR6r
— Matthew Prince ? (@eastdakota) July 9, 2023
Twitter was spotted in the 37th position in the domain ranking, a decline from its 32nd position in January 2023. The microblogging platform traffic visibly tanked, as it is expected to decline further, following the launch of rival platform Threads.
This traffic report disclosed by Cloudflare, is coming after Twitter CEO Elon Musk tweeted in June this year, that the microblogging platform had hit an all-time record in user seconds.
This platform hit another all-time high in user-seconds last week
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 30, 2023
Meanwhile, Meta Threads has reportedly garnered over 100 million users in just a few days after its launch, surpassing the record of the OpenAI tool, ChatGPT for the fastest-growing consumer app.
The increase in Threads user base, which has reportedly led to the drastic decline in Twitter traffic has been linked to Musk’s “unpleasant” changes on the platform. Musk revamps since taking over the company last year October, has prompted users to seek alternative platforms like Mastodon and Bluesky, as well as the recently launched Threads by Meta.
Meanwhile, it is understood that Twitter is threatening to file a suit against Meta for launching Threads, which its referred to as a “copycat” version of Twitter.
In a cease and desist letter sent to Meta, Twitter alleges that the social media company poached its laid-off employees to create Threads, which is a typical replica of Twitter.
In the letter sent to Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Twitter lawyer, Alex Spiro, accused the company of engaging in systematic, willful, and unlawful misappropriation of Twitter’s trade secrets and other intellectual property.
However, Musk’s threat to sue Meta following the launch of Threads, indicates that the newly launched platform is so far, the greatest threat to Twitter. With Meta resources and grit, Threads stands a chance to displace Twitter in the microblogging space.
Threads is also finding it easier to garner users because it is directly linked to Instagram, which has more than one billion regular users.
The app which is still new and fresh doesn’t yet support most common social media features that users look out for. Hashtags, for example, haven’t been implemented on the platform. However, Meta will likely add new features in the coming weeks and will also introduce other features lacking on Twitter.
Threads’ imminent achievement of surpassing 100 million user sign-ups, coupled with Twitter’s decline in traffic, marks a significant shift in the social media landscape.
As Meta’s latest venture gains traction, it demonstrates the demand for platforms that provide a distinct alternative to traditional social media while catering to specific community preferences. Whether you’re a creator or a casual poster, Threads offers a new, separate space for real-time updates and public conversations.