Rapid user growth highlights demand for decentralized, ad-free feeds, but scalability and monetization remain critical hurdles for long-term success.

Both apps see user spikes in light of Trump’s win and Musk’s divisive moves, signaling an appetite for other social media models and the potential for new advertising platforms.

Aggressive moderation tactics on Threads are pushing users away, threatening its growth. Competitors like Bluesky and Mastodon stand to benefit from this frustration.

Millions of users in Brazil flock to the platform, but X’s potential comeback could steal the spotlight.

This year, TikTok will ride the social video wave to become the third social platform with more than 100 million users in the US. But text-based platforms are also set for a revival thanks to Instagram Threads, Bluesky, and even Meta’s Messenger.

On today's episode, we discuss the implications of Twitter's new CEO choice, what Tucker Carlson moving his show to the platform means for advertisers, and what to make of Twitter alternative Bluesky. "In Other News," we talk about the effect AI will have on social media and what to expect from TikTok's US shopping platform. Tune in to the discussion with our analyst Jasmine Enberg.