The new app Threads, owned by Meta, has experienced an extraordinary surge in popularity, surpassing even the growth rate of the widely known artificial intelligence tool ChatGPT. Within a remarkably short span of less than five days since its launch, Threads managed to attract over 100 million users, making it the fastest-growing consumer app in history.
To put this into perspective, ChatGPT, a popular AI tool, took two months to reach the 100 million user milestone, while the highly popular video-sharing app TikTok achieved the same feat in nine months. Comparatively, the photo and video-sharing platform Instagram, which shares a significant user base with Threads, took around two-and-a-half years to reach 100 million users after its launch in 2010.
Threads, designed with a similar layout to Twitter, quickly gained traction and was made available on both Apple and Android app stores in 100 countries. However, the app is not currently accessible in Europe due to uncertainties surrounding data privacy regulations set by the European Union. Meta, the parent company of Threads, is navigating the complexities of European data privacy legislation to ensure compliance before releasing the app in the region.
The rapid growth of Threads signifies a significant shift in user preferences and highlights the demand for alternative social media experiences. Its success could potentially disrupt the established social media landscape and introduce new dynamics to the industry. The rise of Threads underscores the ever-evolving nature of the digital sphere and the constant pursuit of innovation in the quest for user engagement and satisfaction.