Meta’s Threads has achieved a remarkable milestone by attracting over 100 million users shortly after its launch, surpassing the initial success of ChatGPT. However, the real challenge lies in retaining these users and ensuring their continued engagement with the app.
According to data-tracking website Quiver Quantitative, Threads hit the 100 million user mark on Monday, indicating a rapid and consistent rate of sign-ups since its launch last Thursday. As a microblogging app, Threads has emerged as a popular alternative to Elon Musk’s Twitter.
To put Threads’ achievement into context, it is worth noting that when ChatGPT, an AI-powered chatbot, reached the same user base within three months of its launch, it was hailed as a potential record-breaker for the fastest-growing app. In comparison, it took TikTok nine months to reach the same milestone, while Meta’s own Instagram took over two years.
However, ChatGPT’s recent performance serves as a warning for Threads: disruptive success requires more than just an impressive start. ChatGPT experienced a decline in traffic after its initial launch, and even though Microsoft’s Bing, powered by the same AI technology as ChatGPT, has not made significant inroads against Google’s search-engine dominance.
In the case of Threads, the competition with Twitter is likely to be a winner-takes-all contest, as users naturally gravitate towards the more active social media network. Currently, Threads has gained an advantage because changes to Twitter under Musk’s ownership have prompted some of its user base to seek alternative platforms. However, this advantage is not guaranteed to last indefinitely.
The developers behind Threads still have plenty of work ahead of them to implement essential features such as search capabilities, hashtags, and a following feed. Additionally, privacy concerns seem to be hindering the app’s launch in the European Union. While a strong start is crucial, building a successful social network requires ongoing efforts and improvements.
In conclusion, Meta’s Threads has achieved an impressive feat by attracting a large user base in a short span of time. However, the challenge lies in keeping these users engaged and addressing the necessary feature and privacy concerns. The battle between Threads and Twitter will likely determine the ultimate victor in the microblogging landscape. Only time will tell if Threads can maintain its initial success and become a worthy competitor to the established social media giant.
