Published: March 25, 2025 ✍️ Author: Global Digital Media Desk 🌍 Source: GlobalWorldCitizen.com
(GWC) – Global Digital Shift Watch | Tech & Media:
The once-dominant social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter and owned by tech magnate Elon Musk, has seen a marked decline in user traffic following the U.S. presidential election, according to new insights from digital market research firm Similarweb. Meanwhile, emerging platforms Threads and Bluesky are experiencing a post-election growth surge, sparking conversations around digital migration, political alignment, and platform integrity.
The Numbers: Who’s Rising, Who’s Falling?
According to Similarweb data, user activity on X has dropped significantly since the 2024 U.S. presidential election in November, where Musk actively used the platform to support then-candidate Donald Trump.
X (formerly Twitter)Daily web visits down 8.4%, now averaging 31.7 million.
Daily app users (iOS & Android) down 7.2%, averaging 25 million.
From an Election Day peak of 46.5 million web visits, traffic dropped to 30.6 million by March 21.
Daily app usage has plummeted 22.1% post-election.
Threads (Meta’s answer to X)Daily app users rose 14.9%, reaching 13.6 million.
Web traffic remains minimal, rarely crossing 1 million visits daily.
Integration with Instagram and Facebook has fueled adoption.
Bluesky (Co-founded by Jack Dorsey)Web visits rose 21.5%, now at 2.3 million daily.
App usage grew 2.3%, with a solid base of 1.5 million users daily.
This marks a threefold increase since November, when daily users numbered just 540,000.
What’s Driving the Shift?
The post-election shift seems influenced by political sentiment, content moderation policies, and users’ desire for non-polarizing spaces. Critics and former loyalists of Musk’s platform have cited the following concerns:
Musk’s political posts during the election cycle, garnering over 33 billion views, were perceived by many as aggressively partisan.
Allegations of far-right favoritism, controversial gestures, and Nazi-themed commentary have created disillusionment among previously active users.
Prominent cultural voices—including Mark Hamill, Don Lemon, Stephen King, and Guillermo del Toro—have either left X or minimized their presence, further influencing public sentiment.
Bluesky, with stronger user controls and perceived neutrality, is gaining traction as a “safer digital public square.”
Platform Philosophies in Contrast
| Platform | Ownership | Political Perception | Unique Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| X | Elon Musk | Right-leaning, controversial | No longer blocks users fully |
| Threads | Meta (Zuckerberg) | Center-left, positive discourse | Integrated into Instagram & FB |
| Bluesky | Jack Dorsey | Neutral-leaning left | Decentralized, strong block tools |
Global Implications
As the digital landscape evolves, Global World Citizens must navigate a social media ecosystem increasingly shaped by politics, platform ethics, and public trust. The exodus from X highlights:
A growing demand for politically neutral or constructive platforms
A global shift toward platforms prioritizing digital safety and user control
The complex relationship between tech leadership and geopolitical influence
The reshuffling of user loyalties from one platform to another reflects more than consumer preference—it reveals deeper tensions around truth, power, censorship, and freedom of expression in the digital age.
Editor’s Reflection from GlobalWorldCitizen.com
“The platforms we choose shape the conversations we allow. As Global World Citizens, we must champion digital spaces that reflect our collective values—truth, equity, and unity in diversity.”