How to find the best alternative to Twitter for your business

Since Elon Musk’s acquisition and rebranding of Twitter to X, the platform has faced significant challenges. Controversial policy changes, algorithm tweaks, and the introduction of paid verification have caused a 5% decline in monthly active users (MAUs), dropping from 368 million in 2022 to around 335 million in 2024 (SearchLogistics).

Emerging competitors like Threads and Bluesky have gained traction, with Threads amassing 175 million users within months of its launch in 2023 (CNBC).

What’s driving the shift?

1. Policy changes: Paid verification and reduced reach for unverified accounts have frustrated users.

2. Loss of trust: Many users feel alienated by platform changes.

3. Emerging competitors: Platforms like Threads and Bluesky are positioned as user-centric alternatives.

   
   

Table: User Growth or Decline for Social Media Platforms (2023-2024)

Region/ Platform	2023 Total Users	2024 Total Users	Growth/ Decline (%)	Notes
Global	4.96 billion	5.22 billion	+5.2%	Increase of 256 million users, equating to 63.8% of the global population.
United Kingdom	57.1 million	56.2 million	-1.6%	Decline of 900,000 users, representing 82.8% of the UK population.
Facebook	2.98 billion	3.00 billion	+0.67%	Modest growth, driven by adoption in developing regions.
YouTube	2.60 billion	2.70 billion	+3.85%	Increased content consumption drives steady growth.
Instagram	1.35 billion	1.37 billion	+1.48%	Sustained interest in Reels and visual content.
TikTok	1.12 billion	1.20 billion	+7.14%	Strong growth among younger audiences.
Twitter (X)	430 million	390 million	-9.30%	Decline due to controversial rebranding and policy changes.
Reddit	430 million	500 million	+16.28%	High engagement in niche communities and AMA formats.
LinkedIn	870 million	900 million	+3.45%	Increased professional networking post-pandemic.
Bluesky	N/A	25 million	N/A	Rapid growth as a decentralised, privacy-focused alternative to Twitter.
Threads	N/A	175 million	N/A	Explosive growth fueled by Instagram integration and launch hype.

Notes:

1. Global Growth: Social media adoption continues globally, driven by increased mobile and internet penetration.

2. Regional Decline (UK): A notable exception, reflecting possible saturation or shifts in platform preferences.

3. Emerging Platforms: Bluesky and Threads show significant growth but lack year-over-year data for direct comparison.

Data sourced from DataReportal, Statista, and CNBC.

Comparing the contenders: Bluesky, Threads, and Reddit

Bluesky

• Advantages:

  • Decentralised, privacy-focused network with no central ownership.

  • Strong sense of community and innovation-driven culture.

    
    

• Drawbacks:

  • Small user base, still invite-only in many regions.

  • Limited advertising tools for businesses.

    
    

Best for: Privacy-conscious brands, niche communities, and early adopters looking to shape platform culture.

Threads

• Advantages:

  • Seamless Instagram integration for quick onboarding.

  • Visually rich and conversational tone appeals to younger audiences.

• Drawbacks:

  • Limited discovery features like hashtags and search.

  • Engagement is heavily dependent on algorithms.

    
    

Best for: Visually-driven brands, influencers, and B2C e-commerce businesses.

Reddit

• Advantages:

  • Highly engaged, niche communities for targeted conversations.

  • AMA (Ask Me Anything) format builds credibility for thought leaders.

• Drawbacks:

  • Requires authentic engagement to avoid backlash.

  • High time investment for meaningful participation.

    
    

Best for: B2B businesses focusing on thought leadership, engaging a niche community and customer feedback.

Should you have a business, founder, or community account?

Choosing the right account structure maximises your platform’s potential.

Here’s a breakdown:

Business Account

What is it?

A business account is a dedicated profile for your brand. It’s designed to promote products or services, interact with customers, and measure performance using analytics and advertising tools. These accounts represent the organisation as a whole and focus on achieving business goals like increasing visibility, driving sales, and building a brand presence.

Best for:

• Brands seeking visibility and measurable ROI.

  
  

Top Platforms:

• Threads: For visually engaging campaigns.

• Twitter (X): Real-time updates and event promotion.

• Reddit: Niche audience targeting.

  
  

Founder’s Account

What is it?

A founder’s account represents the personal profile of a business leader or entrepreneur. It’s focused on building thought leadership, sharing personal insights, and humanising the brand. These accounts create a direct connection between the founder and the audience, offering a more authentic and relatable perspective.

Best for:

• Thought leadership, networking, and personalising the brand.

  
  

Top Platforms:

• LinkedIn: Professional connections.

• Bluesky: Early influence in decentralised networks.

• Twitter (X): Real-time industry commentary.

  
  

Community Account

What is it?

A community account is designed to foster discussions and interactions around shared interests, values, or goals. It serves as a platform for building long-term relationships with customers, fans, or niche audiences. These accounts focus less on direct promotion and more on engagement, feedback, and collaboration.

Best for:

• Building loyal, engaged audiences around shared interests.

  
  

Top Platforms:

• Reddit: For niche discussions.

• Threads: Casual, ongoing conversations.

• Discord: In-depth community building.

Treat Cheat Sheet: Choosing the Right Platform and Account Type

Finding your Twitter alternative

As X (formerly Twitter) faces a steady decline in users and trust, businesses are reassessing their social media strategies. The shift away from X has created opportunities for new platforms like Threads, Bluesky, and Reddit to emerge as viable alternatives.

While X still holds value for real-time updates and established audiences, these new platforms empower businesses to adapt and reach their target audiences in dynamic and meaningful ways. By aligning your business strategy with the right platform and account type, you can stay connected with your audience despite the changing social media landscape.

Need help navigating these options?

Get in touch at hello@treatmarketing.co.uk.

Sources:

1. Statista - Twitter User Metrics

2. CNBC - Threads User Data Growth

3. TechTarget - Best Twitter Alternatives

4. Brand24 - Alternatives to Twitter

5. Zapier - Twitter Alternatives

6. Foundation Inc. - B2B on Reddit

7. Social Media Today - Threads vs. Twitter