forbes.com
X User Traffic Plunges Post-Election as Rivals Gain
Following the November 2024 presidential election, Elon Musk's X platform experienced a significant drop in U.S. user traffic—daily web visits fell from 46.5 million to 30.6 million, and daily active users dropped 22.1%—while competitors like Threads and Bluesky saw substantial increases, according to Similarweb data. The decline correlates with Musk's highly visible support of President Trump and controversial statements.
- What are the potential long-term implications of this user migration for the future of X and the broader social media landscape?
- The decline in X's user base suggests a potential long-term impact on its profitability and market share. The rise of competitor platforms like Threads and Bluesky highlights the growing demand for alternative social media spaces with different political orientations. Musk's actions underscore the risk of alienating a significant portion of users through highly partisan stances.
- How did Elon Musk's political endorsements and actions contribute to the shift in user behavior on X and the rise of alternative platforms?
- Elon Musk's post-election actions, including his support for President Trump and controversial statements, alienated some users. High-profile individuals left X, citing concerns about right-wing polarization and changes to the platform's blocking feature. This shift aligns with Bluesky's positioning as a more Democrat-leaning alternative.
- What is the extent of X's user traffic decline since the November 2024 election, and how does this compare to the growth of rival platforms?
- Since the November presidential election, X's daily U.S. web visits have dropped from 46.5 million to 30.6 million, and daily active users have fallen 22.1% to 24.3 million. Competitors like Threads and Bluesky have seen significant user increases during the same period.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The headline and the article's structure emphasize the negative consequences of Musk's actions on X's user base. The framing is predominantly negative toward Musk, focusing on criticisms and controversies rather than offering a balanced perspective. The inclusion of phrases like "terrible 24 hours" and "turbulent 2025" in the Further Reading section further reinforces this negative framing.
Language Bias
The article uses some loaded language such as "turbulent 2025" and "terrible 24 hours", which carries negative connotations. While the article aims for objectivity, the choice of words subtly influences the reader's perception of Musk's actions and their impact. More neutral language would enhance objectivity. For example, "challenging 2025" could replace "turbulent 2025".
Bias by Omission
The article focuses heavily on the decline of X's user traffic and the rise of competitors like Bluesky and Threads, but omits discussion of other potential contributing factors to X's decline, such as changes in algorithms, user interface updates, or broader shifts in social media usage. It also doesn't explore the possibility that some users may have left for reasons unrelated to Musk's political stances. This omission limits the analysis and prevents readers from forming a fully informed opinion.
False Dichotomy
The article presents a somewhat false dichotomy by suggesting that the decline in X's user traffic is primarily due to Musk's political profile. While his actions are highlighted, other factors are largely ignored, suggesting a simplistic eitheor scenario. The reality is likely far more nuanced.
Sustainable Development Goals
Elon Musk's actions on X, including his political endorsements and amplification of right-wing views, have driven some users, particularly public figures who tend to hold more progressive views, away from the platform. This contributes to an uneven distribution of voices and perspectives, exacerbating existing inequalities in digital spaces.