Thursday, 3 April 2025
24.9 C
Singapore
26.8 C
Thailand
20.7 C
Indonesia
27 C
Philippines

Threads see continued rise in-app download rankings

The Threads app sees continued growth in downloads, overtaking rivals like X in key regions, and has the potential to challenge it in the future.

Metaโ€™s social media app, Threads, continues to make waves, climbing to the top of the iOS download charts in September. According to the latest data from AppFigures, the app has gained significant traction despite a general slowdown in overall app downloads during July and August.

Threads hold strong in download rankings

The rise in Threads downloads demonstrates that Meta’s Twitter-like platform is capturing attention. However, this download increase only automatically translates to more active users. Itโ€™s possible that many people are downloading the app out of curiosity and may not stay long-term. Nonetheless, the continued growth shows that Meta is on the right track with its Twitter alternative.

One key factor contributing to Threadsโ€™ success is Brazil’s ban on X (formerly known as Twitter). This development led to a surge in downloads of Threads and Bluesky, another decentralised social app, in the region. The Brazil ban was a significant boost, but itโ€™s important to note that Threads only moved up one spot to number five in the overall download rankings. While itโ€™s not an unprecedented leap, Threadsโ€™ steady position in the charts bodes well for its prospects.

X faces challenges following rebrand

In contrast, X, rebranded from Twitter, needs help capturing new users’ attention. Currently, X ranks 42nd in the U.S. iOS download charts. Despite Elon Muskโ€™s rebranding efforts, X hasnโ€™t been able to generate the same level of excitement. Some have suggested this is because X is an established app that most users already have, whereas newer apps like Threads benefit from curiosity and fresh installs.

This theory doesnโ€™t hold much weight when considering apps like Facebook and Instagram, which continue to dominate the charts despite their age. However, Xโ€™s classification as a โ€œNewsโ€ app in the iOS store, a holdover from previous Twitter management, may hurt its appeal. X cannot be classified as a news app on the Google Play Store because it relies heavily on user-generated content (UGC), making it more accurately a social media platform.

The future of Threads and X

Threads is now approaching 200 million users, directly competing with X in the real-time social media space. However, Threads faces challenges ahead, particularly with Xโ€™s deeply embedded user base and its aversion to political content. Many of Xโ€™s most active communities, especially those tied to political discussions, are unlikely to shift to Threads any time soon.

The upcoming U.S. election could be a pivotal moment for both platforms. If Donald Trump wins, X might gain new life, and Elon Musk will likely find fresh ways to support the app. A Trump presidency would ensure a continued focus on politics, driving higher engagement on X. On the other hand, if Kamala Harris wins, the political landscape may shift, creating an opportunity for Threads to thrive as political conversations move into the background.

Threads may not yet be ready to dethrone X, but with steady growth and potential shifts in user preferences, it could become a major player in the real-time social space.

Hot this week

Global tech leaders to explore the future of enterprise at ATxEnterprise 2025

ATxEnterprise 2025 in Singapore will bring together global leaders to explore AI, cybersecurity, and the future of enterprise technology.

Samsungโ€™s new AI fridges help find lost phones and control smart homes

Samsung's new AI-powered fridges can help you find lost phones and control smart home devices with voice commands, making life easier and more connected.

Chinese investor questions commercial future of humanoid robots

Chinese venture capitalist Allen Zhu questions the commercial potential of humanoid robots, sparking debate amid rising AI investment in China.

Most consumers now back up their data, but cloud storage limits push shift to hybrid solutions

87% of people now back up their data, but cloud limits and rising costs are driving a shift to hybrid storage solutions.

Krafton strengthens presence in India with Nautilus Mobile acquisition

Krafton acquires a controlling stake in Indian gaming studio Nautilus Mobile for US$14M, strengthening its foothold in Indiaโ€™s growing gaming market.

Qualcomm expands AI research with MovianAI acquisition

Qualcomm has acquired Vietnamese AI research firm MovianAI to boost its AI development in smartphones, PCs, and software-defined vehicles.

Roblox introduces new parental controls to enhance child safety

Roblox introduces new parental controls, allowing parents to block games, restrict friends, and monitor their childโ€™s activity for better safety.

Anthropic introduces Claude for Education, a new AI chatbot plan for universities

Anthropic launches Claude for Education, an AI chatbot plan for universities that offers advanced learning tools and administration support.

Exabeam introduces Nova, an agentic AI that boosts cybersecurity operations

Exabeam unveils Nova, a proactive AI agent that boosts security team productivity and reduces incident investigation time by over 50%.

Related Articles