pt.euronews.com
X User Exodus: Causes and Consequences
This article analyzes the decline in X's user base following Elon Musk's acquisition, examining the reasons behind the exodus and the alternative platforms gaining popularity.
- Why are users leaving X, and what are the main reasons for this exodus?
- The number of users leaving X is difficult to quantify precisely due to a lack of platform-wide data. However, reports suggest significant decreases, particularly in Western democracies, with estimates of nearly one-third fewer users in the UK and one-fifth fewer in the US compared to the previous year.
- What is the current state of X's user base, and how has it changed recently?
- Estimates of X's monthly users vary widely, ranging from 611 million in April to 588 million in September, representing a 6% decrease. However, these figures are contested, and official data is only available for the EU, showing a decline from 111.4 million to 106 million users.
- Where are X users migrating to, and which platforms are considered the most significant alternatives?
- Users are migrating to platforms like Bluesky (20 million users), Mastodon, and Threads (275 million users). Bluesky, due to its similar interface and content moderation, is considered the most significant threat to X's user base, with its growth linked to events such as Elon Musk's support for Donald Trump's campaign.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The article frames the narrative primarily around the negative consequences of Elon Musk's actions and the resulting user exodus from X, emphasizing concerns about misinformation and political influence. This selective framing could overshadow other factors contributing to user behavior changes.
Language Bias
The article uses words like "toxic," "descontrolada" (uncontrolled), and "êxodo" (exodus) to describe the situation on X, which may subtly influence the reader's perception of the platform negatively.
Bias by Omission
The article focuses heavily on the negative aspects of X and the exodus of users, while omitting potential positive developments or counterarguments that could provide a more balanced picture of the platform's situation. For example, it doesn't explore whether X has implemented any changes in response to criticism.
False Dichotomy
The article presents a somewhat false dichotomy between X and its alternatives, implying that users are choosing between only these options. This ignores the potential for other platforms or for users to simply reduce their social media usage altogether.