Over the weekend, X experienced a surge in conversation due to the news of an attempted assassination on former President Donald Trump. X owner, Elon Musk, took to social media to boast about the platform reaching a new “record high” in usage. According to Musk, X saw a total of 417 billion user-seconds globally in a single day, with 93 billion of those user-seconds coming from the United States alone.
Upon closer examination of Musk’s claims, it becomes evident that there are discrepancies in the reported data. While Musk celebrates the supposed achievement of 27.8 minutes per user on the platform, it falls short of X’s previous claim of users spending an average of 30 minutes per day on the app. The conflicting numbers raise questions about the accuracy of X’s reporting.
Analyzing the data further, the claim of 93 billion user seconds in the U.S. translating to 15.5 minutes per user on average, reveals that the per-person usage is not particularly high. The lack of clarity in how cumulative user seconds contribute to reach and resonance among X users makes it challenging to discern the true impact of these numbers.
Despite the confusion surrounding its usage numbers, X remains a valuable platform for real-time breaking news events. This is especially important given Meta’s reluctance to provide similar features on its Threads app. X’s performance during such events is noteworthy, and it should leverage its usage data to showcase its relevance in delivering up-to-the-minute news.
However, the convoluted and contradictory nature of X’s data raises concerns about its transparency and reliability. Advertisers rely on accurate metrics to gauge reach, engagement, and user behavior to make informed decisions about advertising on the platform. X’s inconsistent reporting of usage numbers not only hinders advertisers’ ability to strategize effectively but also calls into question the platform’s overall performance.
For X to maintain credibility and trust among its users and advertisers, it is imperative for the platform to provide transparent and comprehensive usage data. By offering a clear picture of its user base and engagement metrics, X can dispel any doubts about its performance and solidify its position as a reliable and valuable platform in the digital landscape.
Leave a Reply