Threads and Bluesky Struggle to Catch Up with X in U.S. Social Media Market
Recent data from the Pew Research Center reveals that Threads and Bluesky have a long way to go to compete with X in the U.S. social media landscape. The report, released this week, indicates that these smaller platforms are used by less than 10% of U.S. adults.
X, while not one of the largest social networks in the U.S., continues to dominate the market for social apps focused on short, real-time text posts in a vertical feed. The competition in this space has intensified since Elon Musk acquired Twitter and rebranded it as X in 2022. Musk’s changes to content moderation policies and the platform’s political shift prompted some users to seek alternative platforms.
Despite the growth of decentralized networks like Mastodon and Bluesky, as well as the emergence of startups like Spill, Post, T2 (Pebble), and Hive, X maintains a strong hold on the market, according to Pew’s findings. Even Meta, with its vast resources and platform power, has not been able to surpass X with its Threads platform.
The Pew report reveals that 21% of U.S. adults have used X, compared to 8% for Threads and 4% for Bluesky. Truth Social, another contender, has attracted 3% of U.S. adults.
Although X faces competition, its usage has not significantly declined over the years. Previous reports from Pew show that X (previously Twitter) was used by 22% of U.S. adults in 2024 and 23% in 2021. This gradual decline, if any, indicates a slow and steady trend.
Additionally, the latest report highlights that YouTube and Facebook remain the most widely used platforms among U.S. adults, with 84% and 71% usage, respectively. Other popular platforms include Instagram (50%), TikTok (37%), WhatsApp (32%), Reddit (26%), and Snapchat (25%).
Notably, TikTok’s usage has increased from 21% in 2021, while Instagram and WhatsApp have also seen growth. Reddit, known for its AI content licensing deals, has experienced a rise in adoption from 18% in 2021 to 26% today.
It’s important to note that social media usage patterns vary among U.S. teens, with YouTube leading the pack followed by apps like TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat.
Conclusion
The social media landscape in the U.S. continues to evolve, with X maintaining its position as a frontrunner despite competition from smaller platforms like Threads and Bluesky. As user preferences and trends shift, platforms will need to adapt and innovate to stay relevant in an ever-changing digital environment.
