• Source:JND
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Twitter, now known as X, has seen a dramatic fall in web traffic and mobile usage. Global online traffic to twitter.com declined 14 per cent year on year in September, with the ads.twitter.com portal for advertisers down 16.5 per cent. The pattern was constant across numerous countries, with the US experiencing a 19 per cent dip, while the UK, France, Germany, and Australia also saw decreases.

Comparable patterns were noted in the usage of mobile apps, which fell by 17.8 per cent in the US and 14.8 per cent internationally over the course of a year. These September figures align with longer-term trends: throughout the first nine months of 2023, there was an 11.6 per cent decline in traffic to twitter.com in the US and a 7 per cent decline worldwide when compared to the same period in 2022. The US saw a 12.8 per cent decrease in the usage of mobile apps during this time. Notwithstanding these challenges, Elon Musk's postings and profile on the platform saw a noteworthy 96 per cent year-over-year surge in visitors in September.

READ: Why Elon Musk's X Will Charge $1 Per Year To Post On Micro-Blogging Platform?

Negative comparisons with other popular social networks have also been observed, therefore the declining tendency is not exclusive to X. September saw a 3.7 per cent year-over-year decrease in traffic to the top 100 social networks and communities, said Similarweb in its report. But these problems haven't made it easier for X to compete with expanding social networks like TikTok, which in September reported a 22.8 per cent spike in global web traffic, it added.

While Twitter's attempts to combat bots may be one explanation for the fall, the spokesman hinted that Musk's recent introduction of a $1 levy for new users may also play a role. In an effort to discourage bots, new users must pay $1 a year to publish on the platform, while they are still free to read other people's messages.

READ: Elon Musk's X Will Soon Get Two 'New Tiers' Of Subscription; Here's What We Know So Far

Elon Musk has also revealed that he intends to launch two additional premium paid levels on X, one of which would include advertisements for less money than the $8 monthly subscription that is currently offered. The two subscription tiers, one affordable and one expensive, are expected to offer premium features, while the expensive one will give premium features as well as an ad-free experience.