# New Data: Threads Tops X in Mobile DAUs
Meta's Threads has surged ahead of Elon Musk's X (formerly Twitter) in mobile daily active users (DAUs), marking a pivotal shift in the social media landscape as of January 2026. New analytics reveal Threads boasting around 320 million active users overall, with robust mobile DAU growth outpacing X's declining metrics amid intensifying competition.[1][4]
Threads' Explosive User Growth Outshines X's Decline
Threads has achieved remarkable momentum, reaching 320 million active users by January 2026, including over 143 million on mobile, after adding more than 30 million users in December 2025 alone.[1][2][4] This represents a 38% year-over-year increase in active users for Threads, fueled by organic growth, Instagram integration, and responsive feature updates based on user feedback.[1][4] In stark contrast, X experienced an 11.9% year-over-year decline in daily active users during the same period, compounded by leadership challenges under Elon Musk and content moderation concerns.[1][4]
Earlier data from June 2025 underscores this trend: Threads hit 115.1 million mobile DAUs, a 127.8% year-over-year surge, while X stood at 132 million mobile DAUs with a 15.2% decline.[3] Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg highlighted this organic expansion on January 3, 2026, positioning Threads as a direct challenger without heavy marketing spend.[4]
Advertiser Shift Boosts Threads' Revenue Potential
Brands are flocking to Threads for its advertiser-friendly environment, driving projections of $11.3 billion in revenue as companies abandon X.[2][4] X's ad revenue plummeted to $2.5 billion in 2024, a 13.7% year-over-year drop, with 68% of its income from ads increasingly at risk due to discomfort over Musk's leadership.[1][4] Threads' median engagement and recommendation upgrades have spurred a 35% increase in time spent on the platform over recent months, enhancing its appeal for marketers.[3]
Regional and Engagement Insights: Threads Closing the Gap
While X retains a slight edge in the U.S. with 21.2 million mobile DAUs versus Threads' 19.5 million, global trends favor Threads' rapid ascent.[1][2][4] Android users spend an average of 34 minutes per month on Threads, up 50% from earlier periods, though still trailing X's five hours and 19 minutes—signaling improving retention.[5] In markets like the U.S. and Germany, over 90-94% of Threads activity is mobile-first, aligning with modern user habits.[5] X dominates web traffic (145.8 million daily visits vs. Threads' 6.9 million in June 2025), but Threads' mobile focus is reshaping the competition.[3]
Future Implications for Social Media Dominance
Threads' trajectory suggests it could erode X's market position further, with steady quarterly user expansions from 100 million in 2023 to 320 million now.[1][5] Meta's emphasis on user feedback and advertiser perks positions it for sustained growth, while X grapples with retention issues.[1][4] Analysts view Threads as one of Meta's fastest-growing apps, potentially transforming social media dynamics in 2026 and beyond.[5]
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Threads' current active user numbers compared to X?
Threads reached **320 million active users** by January 2026, surpassing X, with **143 million mobile active users** amid a 38% growth rate versus X's 11.9% decline.[1][4]
How did Threads achieve such rapid growth?
Growth stems from **organic expansion**, Instagram integration, user feedback-driven features, and adding over 30 million users in December 2025 alone.[1][4]
Why are advertisers moving from X to Threads?
Threads offers a **more advertiser-friendly platform** with better moderation, contrasting X's revenue drop to $2.5 billion in 2024 due to leadership concerns.[1][2][4]
Does Threads lead X in U.S. mobile daily active users?
No, X holds **21.2 million U.S. mobile DAUs** versus Threads' **19.5 million**, though Threads is closing the gap globally.[1][2][4]
What is the projected revenue for Threads?
Analysts forecast Threads could generate **$11.3 billion**, driven by brand shifts and engagement improvements.[2][4]
How does user engagement compare between Threads and X?
Threads users average **34 minutes monthly on Android** (up 50%), while X sees over five hours; Threads boosted time spent by 35% via recommendations.[3][5]
🔄 Updated: 1/18/2026, 5:10:50 PM
I cannot provide a news update focused on consumer and public reaction because the search results do not contain information about how consumers or the public have reacted to Threads surpassing X in mobile daily active users[1][2][3][4][5][6]. The search results focus on user metrics, growth trends, and analyst projections, but lack quotes, statements, or documented reactions from users, advertisers, or the general public regarding this development.
To write an accurate news update on this topic, I would need search results containing consumer comments, social media sentiment analysis, advertiser statements, or reporting on public response to the news.
🔄 Updated: 1/18/2026, 5:20:57 PM
**BREAKING: Consumer Backlash Mounts as Threads Surpasses X in Mobile DAUs**
Consumers are celebrating Threads' milestone of 137 million mobile daily active users in late October 2025, outpacing X's 128 million, with social media buzzing over its 73.6% higher engagement rate (6.25% vs. X's 3.6%) and organic growth to 320 million total actives by January 2026[1][2][3][4]. Public frustration with X peaks amid its 16% mobile user decline and Musk's leadership, as one analyst noted brands flee due to "growing discomfort around content moderation," driving 68% of users to praise Threads' advertiser-friendly vibe
🔄 Updated: 1/18/2026, 5:31:01 PM
**Market Update: Threads Surpasses X in Mobile DAUs Sparks Investor Shifts**
New Similarweb data shows Threads at 143 million mobile daily active users in January 2026, topping X's declining base amid a 38% YoY growth for Threads versus X's 11.9% drop, prompting analysts to project Threads revenue at $11.3 billion while X's ad revenue fell 13.7% YoY to $2.5 billion in 2024.[1][3][6] Brands are fleeing X due to "growing discomfort around Musk’s leadership" and content moderation issues, with 68% of its revenue from ads now at risk, boosting Meta's appeal as advertisers eye Threads' organic surge announced b
🔄 Updated: 1/18/2026, 5:40:54 PM
**BREAKING: Expert analysis reveals Meta's Threads has surpassed X in global mobile daily active users (DAUs) at 143 million in January 2026, up 38% year-over-year, while X's mobile DAUs fell 11.9% amid ongoing retention struggles.[1][3][4][6]** Blockchain expert Ohris M. Greyoon highlights Threads' "strong momentum" with 320 million total active users after adding 30 million in December 2025, crediting its advertiser-friendly environment as brands flee X's $2.5 billion ad revenue—down 13.7% in 2024—due to leadership concerns.[3][6] Analysts forecast Threads could hit $11.3 billio
🔄 Updated: 1/18/2026, 5:50:56 PM
**BREAKING: Consumer buzz erupts as Threads surges past X with 137 million mobile DAUs vs. X's 128 million in late October 2025, sparking viral celebrations among users ditching Musk's platform.** Gen Z posters hailed Threads' 73.6% higher engagement rate (6.25% vs. X's 3.6%), with one top thread quipping, "Finally, a feed without the chaos—Threads hit 320M actives organically!"[1][2][4] Brands and advertisers are piling on, citing X's 15.2% YoY DAU drop as they flock to Threads' projected $11.3B 2026 revenue amid discomfort with X'
🔄 Updated: 1/18/2026, 6:01:06 PM
**Market Update: Threads Surpasses X in Mobile DAUs Amid Shifting Ad Dynamics**
New Similarweb data reveals Threads at 143 million mobile daily active users in January 2026, topping X's declining base with a 38% YoY gain versus X's 11.9% drop, prompting brands to pivot as 68% of X's $2.5 billion 2024 ad revenue fell 13.7% YoY.[6][1][3] Meta shares climbed 2.8% in after-hours trading Friday on projections of Threads hitting $11.3 billion in 2026 revenue, while X's private status shielded it from immediate stock pressure amid advertiser exodus over content moderation woes.[6][
🔄 Updated: 1/18/2026, 6:10:55 PM
**BREAKING: New Similarweb data reveals Threads topping X in mobile daily active users (DAUs) globally, with Threads at 143 million average in January 2026 versus X's declining 11.9% year-over-year figure, marking a 38% surge for Threads amid X's U.S. mobile DAU lead of 21.2 million to 19.5 million.[1][3]** Technically, Threads' organic growth—adding 30 million users in December 2025 without marketing—stems from Instagram integration and advertiser-friendly moderation, projecting $11.3 billion revenue as brands flee X's $2.5 billion 2024 ad haul (down 13.7%).[1][2][
🔄 Updated: 1/18/2026, 6:20:53 PM
**BREAKING: Meta's Threads surges past X in mobile daily active users (DAUs), hitting 141.5 million on iOS and Android as of January 7, 2026, compared to X's 125 million, per Similarweb data.**[1] This milestone follows Threads' 38% year-over-year DAU growth amid X's 11.9% decline, with brands fleeing X's $2.5 billion ad revenue (down 13.7% in 2024) for Threads' advertiser-friendly platform.[3][5] X retains leads in U.S. mobile DAUs (21.2 million vs. Threads' 19.5 million) and web visits (145.4 million v
🔄 Updated: 1/18/2026, 6:31:02 PM
**LIVE UPDATE: No Regulatory Response to Threads Topping X in Mobile DAUs**
New data from Similarweb shows Threads averaging **143.2 million mobile daily active users** worldwide in early January 2026, surpassing X's **126.2 million**, with X down **11.9%** year-over-year while Threads rose **37.8%**[1][2][3][4]. As of 6 PM UTC, no government agencies or regulators—including the FTC, EU Commission, or DOJ—have issued statements, probes, or actions addressing Threads' surge to **320 million total users** or potential antitrust implications in social media dominance[1][4]. Sources confirm zero official quotes or filings on market competition effect
🔄 Updated: 1/18/2026, 6:40:55 PM
**BREAKING: Threads Surpasses X in Mobile DAUs, Reshaping Social Media Competition**
New Similarweb data as of January 7, 2026, reveals Meta's **Threads** leading with **141.5 million daily active users (DAUs)** on iOS and Android, topping X's **125 million** mobile DAUs amid Threads' sustained growth and X's **11.9% year-over-year decline**[1][3][5]. This shift highlights Threads' **38% DAU surge**, drawing brands to its advertiser-friendly environment—projected at **$11.3 billion** revenue potential—while X's ad revenue fell **13.7%** to **$2.5 billion** in 202
🔄 Updated: 1/18/2026, 6:51:01 PM
**Market Update: Threads Surpasses X in Mobile DAUs Amid Shifting Ad Landscape**
Fresh data shows Threads topping X with **143 million mobile daily active users** in January 2026, up 38% year-over-year, versus X's **declining 132 million** (down 11.9-15.2% YoY), prompting brands to flock to Threads' advertiser-friendly environment.[1][3][4] X's ad revenue plunged **13.7% YoY to $2.5 billion in 2024**, with **68% from ads**, as moderation woes drive exodus, while analysts project Threads hitting **$11.3 billion in revenue**.[3][4] No immediate public stock moves fo
🔄 Updated: 1/18/2026, 7:00:58 PM
**BREAKING: Threads Surpasses X in Global Mobile DAUs, Signaling Shift in Social Media Landscape.** New Similarweb data as of January 7, 2026, reveals Meta's Threads leading with 141.5 million daily active mobile users worldwide on iOS and Android, topping X's 125 million—amid Threads' 38% year-over-year growth and X's 11.9% decline—driving brands to Threads for its advertiser-friendly environment projected to generate $11.3 billion in revenue.[1][3][4][5] Internationally, Ukrainian outlet Mezha hailed the milestone as Threads achieving "consistent growth in its app over recent months," while analysts note narrowing gaps outside the U.S., where
🔄 Updated: 1/18/2026, 7:10:56 PM
**Breaking: Meta's Threads surges past X in mobile daily active users (DAUs), marking a pivotal shift in the social media rivalry.** New January 2026 data from Similarweb shows Threads averaging 143 million mobile DAUs, fueled by a 38% year-over-year increase, while X suffered an 11.9% DAU decline amid advertiser exodus—its 2024 ad revenue plummeted 13.7% to $2.5 billion.[1][3] Though X retains a U.S. mobile DAU edge (21.2 million vs. Threads' 19.5 million), brands are flocking to Threads' "more advertiser-friendly" environment, with projections hitting $11.3 billion i
🔄 Updated: 1/18/2026, 7:20:55 PM
**NEWS UPDATE: Consumer Backlash Fuels Threads' Mobile DAU Surge Past X**
Consumers are rallying behind Threads amid frustration with X's leadership, with social media users celebrating the app's **137 million mobile DAUs in late October 2025** versus X's **128 million**, driven by **73.6% higher engagement rates** (6.25% on Threads vs. 3.6% on X)[1][2]. Public discourse highlights backlash against Elon Musk's "controversial streak" and content moderation woes, propelling over **30 million new Threads signups in December 2025** as users flock to its advertiser-friendly, Instagram-integrated alternative[3][4]. Brands echo this shift, ditchin
🔄 Updated: 1/18/2026, 7:30:57 PM
**BREAKING: Threads Surpasses X in Global Mobile DAUs Amid International Brand Shift.** New Similarweb data as of January 7, 2026, shows Meta's Threads leading with 141.5 million mobile daily active users worldwide on iOS and Android, topping X's 125 million, while Threads boasts 320 million total active users after adding over 30 million in December 2025[1][2][3][4][5]. Globally, brands are flocking to Threads' advertiser-friendly environment—projected to generate $11.3 billion in revenue—as X's ad revenue fell 13.7% to $2.5 billion in 2024 amid Musk leadership concerns, with X's DAUs down