Meta's Threads has surpassed X, formerly Twitter, in daily mobile active users, according to a recent report from market intelligence firm Similarweb, signaling a potential shift in the social media landscape. The data suggests Threads is gaining traction as a mobile-first platform, while X maintains its dominance on the web.
Similarweb's report indicated that Threads boasted 141.5 million daily active users on iOS and Android as of January 7, 2026. In contrast, X recorded 125 million daily active users on mobile devices during the same period. This shift comes after months of steady growth for Threads' mobile app.
The implications of this data are significant for the social media market. Threads' increasing mobile user base could attract advertisers seeking to reach a mobile-centric audience, potentially diverting revenue away from X. This also highlights the importance of a strong mobile presence for social media platforms in today's market.
Threads, launched by Meta as a text-based conversation app linked to Instagram, has leveraged cross-promotion within Meta's ecosystem to drive user adoption. X, under Elon Musk's ownership, has faced controversies, including recent concerns over its integrated AI, Grok, being used to generate non-consensual deepfake images. These controversies appear to have had little impact on Threads' growth, with the increase in daily mobile usage seemingly driven by other factors, such as cross-promotions.
Looking ahead, it remains to be seen whether Threads can sustain its growth and further challenge X's overall market position. The ongoing investigation into X's AI practices by California's attorney general, along with similar investigations in other regions, could further impact the platform's reputation and user trust. The competition between Threads and X will likely intensify as both platforms continue to evolve and adapt to changing user preferences and market dynamics.
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