Threads and Bluesky still have a long way to go before they can challenge X within the U.S. microblogging space, according to new data released by the Pew Research Center. The report, which examined these platforms for the first time, shows that less than 1 in 10 American adults use either service. Despite its controversies, X remains the dominant player among apps built around short, real-time text posts.
The landscape has become more competitive since Elon Musk acquired Twitter in 2022 and rebranded it as X, prompting some users to explore alternatives due to changes in content moderation and political tone. While decentralized platforms like Mastodon and Bluesky have gained attention, and several startups attempted to launch rival services, many have since folded. Pew’s data underscores just how firm X’s grip on the market remains, even as competitors emerge.
According to the report, 21% of U.S. adults say they have used X, compared with only 8% who have used Meta’s Threads and just 4% who have tried Bluesky. Truth Social follows with 3% adoption. Despite the heightened competition over the past two years, X’s user base has remained largely stable, declining only slightly from 23% in 2021 to 21% today a slow and modest drop.
Beyond the microblogging niche, Pew’s findings show YouTube and Facebook remain the most widely used social platforms among U.S. adults, with adoption rates of 84% and 71% respectively. Instagram is used by half of adults, while TikTok, WhatsApp, Reddit and Snapchat continue to grow steadily. The picture looks very different for teenagers, however, where YouTube still leads but is followed by TikTok, Instagram and Snapchat reflecting an evolving generational shift in social media behavior.