X Achieves Record-High User Numbers This Year, Despite Widespread Criticism, Elon Musk Reveals
The tweet by Elon Musk announcing the record-high number of users on the rebranded Twitter platform, now called “X,” has garnered attention and raised eyebrows in the tech and social media communities. According to Musk’s tweet, the platform has reportedly reached a staggering 541 million users, which would mark a significant milestone for any social media platform.
However, the billionaire’s claim comes amid ongoing scrutiny and skepticism about his ability to effectively run a social media platform. Musk‘s unconventional and sometimes controversial tweets have been a subject of debate, with experts questioning his approach to communication and the potential impact on a social media platform’s integrity and user experience.
Elon Musk’s tweet indicating that the number of users on the rebranded Twitter platform, “X,” increased from 531 million to 541 million in a span of seven months raises several questions and considerations.
Firstly, Musk does not specify whether these figures represent the total number of accounts on the platform or if they refer to either daily or monthly active users. The distinction is crucial, as the total number of accounts may include dormant or inactive accounts, whereas daily or monthly active users provide a more accurate representation of the platform’s engagement and user activity.
Comparing the figures to the reported number of 229 million monthly active users on Twitter in May 2022, as per Reuters, it suggests that the rebranded platform “X” experienced substantial growth in users. However, without additional context and specific metrics, it is challenging to fully interpret the significance of the growth and its implications for the platform’s performance and potential.
The information from the German data-gathering platform Statista, indicating that Twitter had approximately 335 million monthly active users as of December 2022, provides valuable context to Elon Musk’s recent claim about the number of users on the rebranded “X” platform.
Musk’s acquisition of Twitter has been marked by significant changes to the platform. One of the notable changes is the winding down of the legacy verification program. The verification program, which previously granted blue ticks to verified accounts, underwent modifications and was eventually phased out under Musk’s leadership. The introduction of a paid Twitter Blue subscription, offering a blue tick to “verified users,” represents a shift in the verification process, potentially affecting how users are identified and perceived on the platform.
Such changes to verification can influence user behavior and interactions on the platform, as verified accounts often carry a sense of authority and credibility. Altering the verification process may impact how users engage with content and other accounts on “X.”
Additionally, the introduction of a paid subscription model like Twitter Blue can have implications for the platform’s revenue and user experience. Offering exclusive features and benefits to paid subscribers may incentivize users to opt for the subscription, but it could also raise questions about access to essential platform functionalities for non-subscribers.
The rebranding of Twitter to “X” represents a significant step in Elon Musk’s ambitious vision to transform the platform into an all-encompassing “everything app.” CNBC reports that Musk aspires to develop “X” into something akin to WeChat, the popular app in China that offers a wide range of services, including instant messaging, food ordering, and payment capabilities. By expanding the platform’s offerings beyond its traditional social media functions, Musk aims to create a more comprehensive and multifaceted user experience.
To drive this transformation, Musk made a strategic hire in June of Linda Yaccarino, a former NBCUniversal advertising executive, as Twitter’s chief executive. This move came in response to a nearly 50 percent drop in ad revenue on the platform. Advertisers were increasingly concerned about the platform’s lax content moderation, as their brands could potentially be associated with inappropriate and harmful content. Yaccarino’s expertise in the advertising industry signals Musk’s commitment to addressing these concerns and attracting advertisers back to the platform.
The shift toward becoming an “everything app” represents a bold and ambitious vision for “X” under Musk’s leadership. As the platform evolves and expands its offerings, it will be interesting to see how users and advertisers respond to the changes. With the right strategy and improvements in content moderation, “X” may position itself as a more attractive and versatile platform, capable of competing with other multifunctional apps in the market. However, achieving this vision will require careful execution and consideration of user needs and preferences in order to create a compelling and successful “everything app.”
Elon Musk’s efforts to attract advertisers back to the rebranded “X” platform are crucial, considering its ongoing struggles with negative cash flow, despite significant cost-cutting measures that have included laying off thousands of employees. However, recent developments indicate that Musk’s plans to regain advertiser trust and support may face challenges.
The decision to reinstate the account of a right-wing influencer who had shared a disturbing image of a tortured toddler has brought renewed scrutiny to “X.” The move was met with criticism and raised concerns about the platform’s content moderation policies. Although Musk justified the decision, stating that only specific team members had seen the images, the tweet in question had already garnered millions of views and thousands of retweets before being taken down.
Harvard leadership expert Bill George has expressed doubts about Musk’s suitability in leading a social media platform like Twitter. According to George, Musk’s actions after taking over “X” reveal that he may be “totally out of his element” when it comes to understanding and effectively managing social media dynamics. The decisions made in response to the content controversy may have negative implications for the platform’s reputation and advertiser confidence.
The challenges faced by “X” underscore the complexity of running a social media platform and the importance of having a deep understanding of social media dynamics, user behavior, and content moderation. With advertisers increasingly cautious about their brand association and user trust becoming more critical than ever, the platform’s ability to strike the right balance between free expression and responsible content moderation will be crucial for its long-term success.
