The Decline of X: Users Abandon Platform for Fanbase, Threads, Bluesky, and the Rise of Social Media Alternatives
In the wake of last week’s U.S. election, a wave of farewell messages flooded X (formerly Twitter), as prominent users began abandoning the platform. Many cited Elon Musk’s public support for Donald Trump and the increasing hostility on the site as their reasons for leaving.
Podcast host Jody Avrigan, who has 50,000 followers, posted on Threads: “Elon Musk is a pretty destructive force in our society and politics. I want no part of him.” MSNBC anchor Nicole Wallace, with over 1 million followers, announced on live television that she had deleted her account “as an act of self-preservation.” Comedian Tee Wattress, an X user for 15 years, lamented on Threads, “To see it turn into the hellscape that it is today has been devastating.” Even best-selling author Stephen King, with 7 million followers, admitted defeat, stating, “Tried to stay, but the atmosphere has just become too toxic.”
This exodus signals a broader shift in social media. The era of centralized platforms is giving way to a fragmented landscape of alternatives like Fanbase, founded by Isaac Hayes III in 2021, the app is designed to give users the opportunity to connect with their fans while earning income directly through subscriptions, tips, and the sharing of unique content. Threads, owned by Meta, and Bluesky, founded by former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey.
X’s Rapid Decline
Under Musk’s ownership since 2022, X has experienced a steep drop in daily active users. From 250 million last year, the platform saw only 162 million on election day—a peak that quickly dropped by 5 million the next day, according to Sensor Tower. Since Musk’s takeover, X has lost an average of 14% of its users monthly.
Musk’s controversial decisions—such as gutting content moderation teams, reinstating inflammatory figures, and amplifying polarizing content—have alienated many. His active promotion of right-wing ideologies and public alignment with Trump further escalated tensions. Recently, Musk was rewarded with a co-leadership position in Trump’s proposed Department of Government Efficiency, cementing his political involvement.
A Fragmented Future
As X declines, rival platforms are gaining traction. Threads reported 275 million monthly active users by October, with consistent growth. Bluesky, though smaller, has seen a surge in sign-ups, reaching nearly 15 million users. Other platforms, including TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat, are also benefiting, with steady user growth over the past year.
The shift reflects a broader diversification of online engagement, with users gravitating toward platforms that align with their values and offer a less toxic environment. Podcasts, long-form videos, group chats, and communities on Discord or YouTube are also gaining popularity as alternatives to traditional social media.
X’s Counter-Narrative
Despite its challenges, X continues to attract new users, with a 17% jump in mobile app sign-ups in October. However, this influx has not offset the platform’s overall decline. For every new user drawn by Musk’s controversial direction, more are leaving, signaling a “swap” of user demographics rather than growth.
The End of an Era
Jonathan Bellack of Harvard’s Berkman Klein Center notes that Twitter’s once-dominant influence is fading. “Twitter always had a level of influence disproportionate to its number of users. Now, the fragmentation of social media reinforces that there will no longer be one definitive platform—and that’s probably a good thing.”
As the social media landscape fragments, it appears the public square once dominated by Twitter is now giving way to a mosaic of smaller, more specialized communities. For users, creators, and media alike, this may mark the start of a more diverse and decentralized digital future.
