Following a mass exodus from X (formerly Twitter), the open-source social media platform Mastodon has reported a significant increase in app downloads. According to Mastodon founder Eugen Rochko, downloads of the official iOS app have risen by 47%. This surge reflects a broader trend of users seeking alternatives to the platform under Elon Musk's ownership.
Rochko also noted a 17% increase in Android app downloads, alongside a 27% rise in total monthly sign-ups, reaching approximately 90,000 new users. This growth underscores Mastodon's appeal as a viable alternative for those dissatisfied with X's recent changes.
Unlike the centralised nature of X, Mastodon operates on a decentralised model known as the "fediverse". This comprises thousands of interconnected servers, offering users greater control and resilience against platform-wide outages or policy changes. Rochko highlighted this key difference, stating, "We may not be the biggest by numbers yet, but Mastodon (and the fediverse) has proven itself to be an effective and reliable communications platform over the course of the last 8 years and does not depend on venture capital to survive."
The influx of new users to Mastodon follows a record number of account closures on X. Similarweb, an internet traffic analyser, reported that 115,000 US-based X users deactivated their accounts on 6 November, the day after the US midterm elections. This represents the largest single-day drop since Elon Musk's acquisition of the platform in October 2022. This significant decline in users is widely attributed to Musk's controversial decisions, including the reinstatement of previously banned accounts belonging to prominent right-wing figures and his outspoken support for President-elect Donald Trump.
Mastodon is not the only platform benefiting from this migration. Other X alternatives are also reporting substantial growth. Bluesky, another prominent competitor, claims to have gained 1 million sign-ups in a single day following the US elections, and its user base is now reported to be almost 18 million â a considerable increase from 9 million in September. Similarly, Meta's Threads platform reported over 15 million sign-ups in November, with daily sign-up numbers exceeding one million for each of the preceding three months, according to Instagram Head Adam Mosseri.
The mass exodus from X and the subsequent surge in users for alternative platforms highlights a growing desire among users for different approaches to social media. The emphasis on decentralisation, open-source principles, and alternative content moderation policies offered by platforms like Mastodon appear to be resonating with a significant number of users seeking a change from X. Whether this trend will continue or if it marks a lasting shift in the social media landscape remains to be seen. However, the recent data suggests that the competition in the social media sphere is intensifying.