Meta’s Apps Continue to Dominate the Download Charts

The Current Landscape

Elon’s X team boasts X as “the #1 news app in over 140 countries”, yet Meta remains the dominant force in app rankings. Sensor Tower’s latest data places Instagram at the helm in Q1 2024, with TikTok, Facebook, and WhatsApp following suit. Meta’s reign is evident with Threads and Messenger securing 11th and 12th positions, respectively, while X sits at 25th in the “Top Free – Overall” listings.

X’s Positioning

X garners attention and maintains popularity on a wider scale but is unable to match Meta’s steadfast growth. Despite being hailed as the top news app, media’s fear of X due to its supposed popularity is unfounded.

The History of X

In 2016, Twitter, now rebranded as X, faced stagnant growth. CEO Jack Dorsey’s strategic move to classify Twitter as a ‘News’ app instead of ‘Social Media’ transformed its fate. The shift garnered more downloads, reshaping its narrative and distancing from direct competition with established social platforms.

The Misconception

Though X remains the preferred news app, it isn’t a direct comparison to traditional news aggregators. Elon’s persistence in framing X as a news app may lend insight into his strategy, but in reality, Meta’s Threads has surpassed X’s download figures, marking Meta’s social media dominance.

The Future Outlook

Despite X’s daily active users exceeding 250 million, its trajectory remains uncertain. Elon’s initiatives in AI, payments, and original content creation hint at potential growth opportunities. However, Meta’s current supremacy indicates that X has yet to discover its definitive path forward.

Elon’s Strategic Shift

Musk’s recent endeavor to align X with news apps echoes Twitter’s historical pivot. While reframing X’s narrative may present new prospects, Meta’s continuous lead underscores the necessity for X to redefine its future in the ever-evolving app market.