Elon Musk again has come up with an innovative way to get money from brands. After telling businesses to pay $1,000 monthly to keep their verification badge, X is now telling them to spend at least $1,000 monthly on ads. Brands that don’t comply will lose their verification checkmark.
Twitter, now rebranded as X, heavily depends on advertising revenues- just like most social platforms. Back in May, Twitter’s biggest ad buyer GroupM said the platform is no longer recognized as “high risk,” and advertisers can safely place orders for ads.
However, the latest reports indicate that the platform’s revenue from advertising plummeted by 50%. Controversies following Musk’s takeover and drastic changes he made to the platform are advertisers’ main sources of concern. X has notified brands that they might lose their verification badge if they haven’t spent at least $1,000 on ads in the previous 30 days or $6,000 on ads in the previous 180 days.
X wants brands to spend at least $1,000 per month on buying ads
In response, Musk said the reason for this is to raise the bar for verification organizations and make it expensive for scammers to create millions of accounts. Of course, the billionaire added organizations can choose to pay only $1,000 for their badge.
“Or they can just pay $1000/month for a verified organization subscription with the ability to convey that organizational authority to affiliates. This more than pays for itself in organic reach.” Musk noted.
Spending $12,000 annually on a verification badge is quite over budget for most small and midsize businesses. Now, asking them to pay another $12,000 for ads seems to be an extravagant request. Many small businesses and nonprofit organizations are asking for a cheaper tier to get a verified badge.
Elon Musk is going to great lengths to make his now-called X profitable. This includes even giving a 50% discount on all new ad bookings until July 31.
By offering a rapid and secure way to share your voice, audio messaging on WhatsApp revolutionized how people communicate.
Now that WhatsApp has introduced instant ‘video messages’, you may record and share short personal videos directly in the chat. This has to be the most significant upgrade in July.
Following a Facebook announcement by CEO Mark Zuckerberg, video messages are now being made available to all WhatsApp users.
“New for WhatsApp — we’re adding the ability to instantly record and share a video message in your WhatsApp chats. It’s as easy as sending a quick voice message,” Zuckerberg wrote in his post.
Highlights of the New Instant Video Messages Feature
Real-time messages to chats can be made with video messages, which can be said and shown in 60 seconds.
“We think these will be a fun way to share moments with all the emotion that comes from video, whether it’s wishing someone a happy birthday, laughing at a joke, or bringing good news,” WhatsApp wrote in a blog post.
To record a video message, simply tap to switch to video mode, then hold to start recording. Swipe up to lock and record the video hands-free. When a video is opened in a conversation, it automatically plays on mute, and pressing it will turn on the sound.
End-to-end encryption is used to safeguard video transmissions to keep them secure. Additionally, the capability is accessible to iOS and Android users.
Recently, the business unveiled a technology that automatically mutes calls from unidentified numbers. Additionally, it allowed users to make changes to a message within 15 minutes of sending it. Additionally, it is reported that WhatsApp is working on usernames.
Will Cathcart, the head of WhatsApp said “We are adding instant video messages to WhatsApp. Voice messages are incredibly popular, and this builds on that: record and send a short video, all within a chat.”
In the upcoming weeks, everyone will have access to the capacity to make and share videos, which has already started rolling out.
The most recent update to Google Maps brings Assistant speech recognition features to users. With this, those seeking directions can tell the app where they want to go, and it’d offer them route suggestions to take. Yes, you read that right, you can now tell the Google Maps app where you want to go and get directions.
Well, over the past few years, this navigation app has offered users some speech functions. However, this speech function is not up to par with the available technology and using it is stressful for most users. This calls for a change, one that will make speech functions on the Google Maps app more effortless and useful.
Google is now integrating their voice assistant into the Maps app for seamless usage. For some reason, this feature has been missing from Google Maps over the past few years. Now, users can tell the Maps app where they intend to go and get directions to their desired destination.
Google Maps gets better with the Assistant speech recognition feature integration
The recent upgrade to the Google Maps app brings assistant features and voice recognition. With this, users can talk to the app and get sound and accurate feedback for their requests. Considering that Maps is a navigation app, all conversations should be related to getting directions.
You don’t need to install any new Maps app update before you can start using this feature. Sitting on the search bar is a mic icon with which users can access the voice command features. Tapping on this mic icon will pull up an interface where users will set up this feature and grant the Maps app access to use the device’s mic.
Once it is set up, users can start telling the Maps app where exactly they wish to go. As the user speaks, they can watch their words turn into text on the screen and spot any mistakes. This feature will come in handy for drivers in need of directions, so they don’t need to pull over and type in their destination before they get directions.
Now, with the tap of the mic icon on the search bar, users can tell the Maps app exactly where they want to go. Millions of Google Maps users around the world will put this Assistant speech feature to use while seeking directions. Head over to the Google Maps app on your phone to experience this new feature for yourself.
Zimbra recently addressed a severe zero-day vulnerability found actively exploited in the wild. While the vulnerability previously received a fix, Zimbra re-released the XSS zero-day patch with the latest software version, urging users to update.
Active Exploitation Detected For Zimbra XSS Zero-Day Vulnerability
Zimbra recently rolled out a critical update, urging all users to update immediately, following the reports about active exploitation of a security flaw. Specifically, the zero-day vulnerability affects the Zimbra Collaboration Suite (ZCS) email servers, allowing an adversary to perform cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks.
As stated in the advisory, the latest ZCS version 10.0.2 addresses numerous security issues, including an XSS zero-day CVE-2023-38750.
This vulnerability first caught the attention of the researcher Clément Lecigne from Google Threat Analysis Group. Following his report, Zimbra patched the flaw with the release of ZCS 8.8.15, asking users to update their systems manually. Zimbra didn’t disclose anything about active exploitation attempts for the flaw at that time. However, another Google TAG researcher Maddie Stone, confirmed in a tweet that the vulnerability went under attack before the patch could arrive.
.@_clem1 discovered this being used in-the-wild in a targeted attack. Thank you to @Zimbra for publishing this advisory and mitigation advice! If you run Zimbra Collaboration Suite, please go manually apply the fix! #itw0dayshttps://t.co/lqwt0kOFWA
Now, a couple of weeks following the initial disclosure, Zimbra has released another major update with the patch for CVE-2023-38750. Regarding the flaw, the release notes simply describe it as a vulnerability exposing internal JSP and XML files.
In addition to this XSS, the latest update also addressed another vulnerability – CVE-2023-0464. The advisory describes it as an OpenSSL package vulnerability “related to the verification of X.509 certificate chains that include policy constraints.”
Besides Zimbra and the researchers’ community, the US CISA also urged all Zimbra users to update their devices with the latest ZCS versions. CISA also added this vulnerability to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog, emphasizing all federal organizations update their systems as well.
Zimbra has released ZCS 10.0.2 that fixes two security issues, including the known bug that could lead to exposure of internal JSP and XML files.
Two weeks ago, we urged readers to apply a workaround for an actively exploited vulnerability in Zimbra Collaboration Suite (ZCS) email servers. Zimbra has released ZCS 10.0.2 that fixes two security issues, including the known bug that could lead to exposure of internal JSP and XML files.
Zimbra is an open source webmail application used for messaging and collaboration. The vulnerability, which could impact the confidentiality and integrity of users’ data, exists in Zimbra Collaboration Suite Version 8.8.15.
The Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) database lists publicly disclosed computer security flaws. The CVEs patched in these updates are:
CVE-2023-38750: Zimbra Collaboration Suite (ZCS) contains a cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability impacting the confidentiality and integrity of data.
CISA added the vulnerability to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog which means that all Federal Civilian Executive Branch (FCEB) agencies must remediate this vulnerability by August 17, 2023.
Reportedly, Maddie Stone from the Google Threat Analysis Group (TAG)—which first reported the vulnerability—confirmed that this issue was used by an Advanced Persistent Threat (APT) group in targeted attacks.
An XSS vulnerability allows attackers to inject malicious code into otherwise benign websites. In this case a command that could expose internal JSP and XML files.
A JSP file is a Java document used to dynamically generate a webpage using Jakarta Server Pages (JSP) functions. It is similar to an .ASP or .PHP file, except it contains Java code instead of ActiveX or PHP. Web servers parse JSP files and use them to generate HTML, which is sent to a user’s web browser.
Extensible Markup Language (XML) is the underlying technology in thousands of applications, ranging from common productivity tools like word processing to book publishing software and even complex application configuration systems.
CVE-2023-0464: A security vulnerability has been identified in all supported versions of OpenSSL related to the verification of X.509 certificate chains that include policy constraints. The OpenSSL package has been upgraded.
OpenSSL is a software library for applications that provide secure communications over computer networks against eavesdropping, and identify the party at the other end.
During its recent ‘Unpacked’ event, Samsung announced two new foldable smartphones. The Galaxy Z Fold 5 is one of them, and we’re here to compare it to its predecessor. In this article, we’ll compare the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 vs Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4. You probably already heard that the two phones are quite similar design-wise, and that is true. Still, some differences are there, and they’re definitely worth noting.
We’ll first list their specifications, and will then move to compare these two foldable smartphones across a number of categories. We’ll compare their designs, displays, performance, battery life, cameras, and audio performance. This comparison will hopefully help you make a purchasing decision. So, let’s get started.
Specs
– Screen size (main): 7.6-inch Foldable Dynamic AMOLED 2X display (120Hz, HDR10+, 1,750 nits (Fold 5) / 1,200 nits (Fold 4)) – Screen size (cover): 6.2-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X (120Hz) – Screen resolution (main): 1812 x 2176 – Screen resolution (cover): 2316 x 904 – SoC: Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy / Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 – RAM: 12GB (LPDDR5X) / 12GB (LPDDR5) – Storage: 256GB/512GB/1TB / 256GB/512GB/1TB – Rear cameras: 50MP (wide, f/1.8 aperture, OIS), 12MP (ultrawide, 123-degree FoV), 10MP (telephoto, 3x optical zoom) – Front cameras: 4MP (under display, main display, f/1.8 aperture), 10MP (cover display, f/2.2 aperture) – Battery: 4,400mAh – Dimensions (unfolded): 154.9 x 129.9 x 6.1mm / 155.1 x 130.1 x 6.3mm – Dimensions (folded): 154.9 x 67.1 x 13.4mm / 155.1 x 67.1 x 14.2-15.8mm – Weight: 253 grams / 263 grams – Connectivity: 5G, LTE, NFC, Wi-Fi, USB Type-C, Bluetooth 5.3 / 5.2 – Security: Side-facing fingerprint scanner – OS: Android 13 with One UI / Android 12 with One UI (upgradable) – Price: $1,799 / $1,799 – Buy: Samsung / Samsung
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 vs Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4: Design
These two smartphones look so similar, that many people would not even be able to tell the difference. There are two easy ways to differentiate between them, though. The first one is how they look when they’re folded. The Galaxy Z Fold 5 is the first device in the series that folds flat, the Galaxy Z Fold 4 does not. The Fold 5 also has an LED flash on the right side of its rear-facing cameras. The Fold 4’s LED flash is located below the camera island.
Both smartphones are made out of metal and glass, and both have the same form factor and shape. They both also come with flat sides all around. The Galaxy Z Fold 5 is a bit lighter, for about 10 grams, but that’s the difference that you likely won’t notice. Therefore they’ll both feel very similar in the hand, especially when unfolded. The Galaxy Z Fold 5 does have a more durable hinge, though, which should make the phone and its foldable display more durable.
They are basically identical in terms of height and width, that goes for both their folded and unfolded forms. The Galaxy Z Fold 5 is a bit thinner, though, but not by much. It’s still nowhere as thin as some of the competition. Both phones do come with an IPX8 rating for water resistance, and they both feel like truly quality products in the hand. They are both quite slippery, though.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 vs Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4: Display
These two smartphones have the same displays, actually, in all but one area. That goes for both their main and cover displays. A 7.6-inch 1812 x 2176 Foldable Dynamic AMOLED 2X display sits on both phones. That panel offers a 120Hz refresh rate, and supports HDR10+ content. We’re looking at 373 ppi here, in case you were wondering.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5
The cover display measures 6.2 inches, and it offers a resolution of 2316 x 904. That is a Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel too, but not a foldable one. It has a 120Hz refresh rate, and it’s protected by the Gorilla Glass Victus 2. The aspect ratio here is rather odd at 23.1:9, which makes the phone very narrow when folded.
The Galaxy Z Fold 5’s main display should be more durable overall, due to some improvements Samsung made, including a new hinge. Still, in terms of usability and image reproduction, they’re exactly the same. They feel the same to use. Now, I’ve mentioned that the two panels are not the same in one specific area. I was talking about the brightness. The Galaxy Z Fold 4’s main panel can go up to 1,200 nits of brightness at its peak, while the Galaxy Z Fold 5 goes up to 1,750 nits. That is a considerable difference, especially when you’re using the phone outdoors.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 vs Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4: Performance
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 fuels the Galaxy Z Fold 5, while the phone also includes 12GB of LPDDR5X RAM and UFS 4.0 flash storage. On the flip side, the Galaxy Z Fold 4 is fueled by the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 SoC. The phone also includes 12GB of LPDDR5 RAM and UFS 3.1 flash storage. The Galaxy Z Fold 5 does have more powerful internals, but how does that reflect on actual performance?
Well, we only used the Galaxy Z Fold 5 for a couple of days thus far, but the performance has been solid. We do notice that the apps on the Fold 5 load a bit faster, but other than that, the two phones seem to be on par in terms of performance. They both fly through everyday tasks, while they’re also quite good for gaming. Both phones do get quite warm during gaming sessions, but that’s perfectly normal.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 vs Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4: Battery
Samsung opted to stick with a 4,400mAh battery inside the Galaxy Z Fold 5. That is the same battery capacity the Fold 4 offers. The charging speed also remained unchanged, unfortunately. Both smartphones support 25W wired charging, in addition to 15W wireless charging, and 4.5W reverse wireless charging. Another thing to note is that neither of the two phones comes with a charger in the box. That 25W charging can get both phones to 50% in about 30 minutes, while it will take them about twice that much to reach a full charge.
What about the battery life? Well, it’s similar to what the Galaxy Z Fold 4 offered, at least based on our initial usage. Getting around 6-7 hours of screen on time is doable, as long as you’re not pushing the phone hard. If you’re gaming on it, you can expect noticeably worse numbers on a daily basis. Granted, this is based on our usage, but your mileage may vary considerably. Not only because you’ll use different apps, and have different signal strengths, but also because your usage will be different, and there are two screens included here. It all depends on how much time you’ll spend on the inner screen. We did use the outer screen quite a bit thus far.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 vs Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4: Cameras
You will find identical camera hardware on these two smartphones. A 50-megapixel main camera is included, with an f/1.8 aperture, and OIS support. A 12-megapixel ultrawide camera also sits on both phones, with a 123-degree FoV. The third camera on the back is a 10-megapixel telephoto unit with 3x optical zoom support. On the main display, there is a 4-megapixel under-display camera, while a 10-megapixel selfie shooter sits on the cover display of both phones.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4
In case you’re wondering about camera samples, well, they’re not too different. It’s not exactly a secret Samsung likes saturated images, as do most users. That’s what you’ll find on both of these. The images do seem to be a bit sharper on the Galaxy Z Fold 5, at least based on our initial impressions, but that could just be a placebo effect. We’re in the process of reviewing the Galaxy Z Fold 5, so you’ll get far more info in the near future.
Audio
When the audio is concerned, things are pretty much unchanged on the Fold 5. Both smartphones ship with a set of stereo speakers. Those speakers are tuned by AKG, and they sound more than fine. They’re loud enough, and also detailed enough. We don’t have any major complaints here.
What you will not find on either phone is a 3.5mm headphone jack. You can always use their Type-C ports for wired audio connections, though. If you prefer to go wireless, though, the Fold 5 supports Bluetooth 5.3, while the Fold 4 has Bluetooth 5.2 support.
Elon Musk has admitted that the value of his investment in Twitter has dropped precipitously since he bought the social media platform in October. From trying to monetize the verification checkmark to firing employees whose expertise was essential to running the platform, Musk got off to a bad start. In May, he hired a new CEO, and more recently capped the number of tweets that a Twitter user can view in one day.
Musk wants Twitter (or “X”) to be the next super app after China’s WeChat
And that was before he rebranded the platform from Twitter to “X” all because he wants the site to become a platform that does more than publish comments from users around the world. He wants Twitter to be another WeChat, the Chinese super-app that offers instant messaging, video games, mobile payments, social media, and more. Because of its multiple capabilities, the app has more than 1 billion monthly active users and is the largest standalone mobile app worldwide.
From left to rig
Light Mode, Dim Mode, and Dark Mode
Musk has created a particular process for his changes. First, there is an initial tweet with a change so distasteful that Twitter users complain. So Musk then changes the new edict ever so slightly allowing Twitter users to think that they are getting what they want when Musk is actually making a change he wanted to make all along. That happened yesterday when Elon first announced that Twitter would eliminate Light Mode (black print on a white background) and Dim Mode leaving Dark Mode (white text on a back background) as the only option.
In his tweet, Musk wrote, “This platform will soon only have ‘dark mode’. It is better in every way.” The complaints soon started coming in from Twitter users not happy about the change. And sure enough, Musk soon rolled back the removal of light mode and instead announced that only the “Dim” Theme setting will be removed. This is a Dark Mode variant with a slightly lighter dark background. So Musk came to the decision that he will leave Light Mode and Dark Mode with the latter as the default setting.
If this process sounds familiar, when Musk first announced the cap on daily tweet views when this month started, he announced that new unverified members were limited to viewing 300 tweets a day, existing unverified members would be allowed to read 600 tweets daily, and verified members could see 6,000 posts a day. But after existing Twitter users tweeted their displeasure with these limits, Musk raised them to 400 Tweets daily for new unverified members, 800 tweets a day for unverified members, and 8,000 Tweets a day for those paying $8 per month for verification.
Musk made the right call by leaving Light Mode and Dark Mode
This writer believes that Musk actually made the right call by leaving light mode and dark mode. Most people feel more comfortable with Light Mode since it is easier to read in the daytime. Dark Mode is great for those who don’t want the bright white background from their phones burning the retinas of innocent bystanders while they view Twitter in a dark room or at night.
Musk changes his mind again and removes Dim Mode instead of Light Mode
And on OLED phones, Dark Mode can actually save battery life since creating the color black on such a display requires the appropriate pixels to be turned off. Pixels that aren’t on do not consume battery power. So a Dark Mode setting can reduce battery consumption by a small amount on phones sporting an OLED screen..
No one but Elon Musk knows how he plans on turning Twitter into “X,” the super-app. Even knowing that he wants to mold Twitter into another app like WeChat that has multiple capabilities doesn’t necessarily help us understand all of the moves he has made since buying the platform. One thing that we hope he learns is that not all Twitter users have the same tastes and preferences as he does.
Musk needs to stop shooting from the hip and tweeting out changes he wants to make to the platform without first doing some research. And now that Twitter has a CEO (Linda Yaccarino) hopefully Twitter can be run more like a business and not like a rich man’s hobby.
Blockchain Security firms Chainalysis and Match Systems aid the investigation
Cryptocurrency payments platform CoinsPaid has reported a massive security breach that led to the theft of $37.3 million on 22nd July. The company suspects the notorious North Korean state-backed hacker organization, Lazarus Group, to be behind the attack. CoinsPaid’s internal systems were compromised, prompting the firm to temporarily halt operations for four days.
The Lazarus Group has a long history of targeting cryptocurrency platforms. The extent of the hack caused significant damage to the company’s balance sheet and platform, leading to a temporary shutdown. However, the firm clarified that customer funds remained secure during the incident.
In response to the breach, CoinsPaid immediately engaged a team of experts to fortify their systems and minimize the impact of the attack. Despite the substantial funds stolen, the company believes that the hackers aimed for a much higher sum. As a result, the Lazarus Group ended up with a “record-low reward.”
CoinsPaid CEO, Max Krupyshev, expressed confidence that the perpetrators would face justice and emphasized the company’s commitment to fully restore operations in a new, secure environment. As of now, the platform is gradually resuming transactions, but it may take a few more days to ensure everything runs smoothly.
CoinsPaid is back to processing after being hit by a hacker attack. Сlient’s funds were not affected and are fully available.
Collaboration with Estonian and Blockchain Security Firms
In response to the breach, CoinsPaid promptly filed a report with Estonian law enforcement to investigate the incident further. The company is working closely with local authorities to track the looted funds allegedly taken by the Lazarus Group.
Furthermore, several blockchain security firms, including Chainalysis, Match Systems, and Crystal, have joined forces to assist in the preliminary investigation during the first few days following the attack. Their expertise will aid in identifying the perpetrators and strengthening CoinsPaid’s security measures.
The Lazarus Group remains an active and notorious hacking organization with links to the North Korean Government. Beyond the attack on CoinsPaid, the group has been involved in numerous sophisticated hacking operations, targeting blockchain technology companies and cryptocurrency platforms.
Their tactics often involve spear-phishing campaigns, the use of custom malware, and exploiting native operating systems. In the past, Lazarus Group was responsible for significant heists, including the $100 million Harmony Bridge hack and the $620 million Ronin Bridge theft.
CoinsPaid’s resolve to strengthen its security measures and cooperate with law enforcement and security experts showcases the ongoing efforts to combat cyber threats in the cryptocurrency industry.
Samsung‘s Galaxy Ring could enter mass production as early as next month. The Korean firm is reportedly nearing the final development stage of the tiny fitness-tracking wearable device and is expected to decide the mass production schedule in August. If things go according to the plan, Samsung may push the smart ring into production in August itself, the Korean media reports. A market release may not happen before 2024, though.
Samsung has been working on a smart ring for quite some time. The device, which can be worn on your fingers like a regular ring, will come equipped with various sensors to measure health data, including a temperature sensor, heart rate sensor, PPG (Photoplethysmography) sensor, and an ECG (Electrocardiogram) sensor. The plan is to make a comprehensive yet unintrusive mobile health and fitness tracker that offers better accuracy than wrist-worn smartwatches.
However, a smart ring is a complex device to make. Samsung has been taking its time to ensure that the first-gen Galaxy Ring is up to the mark. A couple of weeks back, the Korean publication The Elec reported that the device had entered the development stage. The same source is now reporting that the company has begun talks with its suppliers to develop the necessary parts. Once finalized, Samsung’s mobile business head TM Roh will review the parts development process next month.
The final production schedule will be determined after Roh completes the review of these development processes. Only time will tell whether the Galaxy Ring enters mass production in August. Its market release may take another year, though. Samsung will be required to obtain medical approvals for the product before selling it. This process can reportedly take 10 to 12 months. So the first-gen Galaxy Ring may not arrive until mid-2024 at the earliest.
Samsung is also exploring a Galaxy Ring for XR devices
Samsung may have yet to launch a smart ring, but the company seemingly has big plans for the industry. According to the new report, the Korean behemoth is already exploring a Galaxy Ring for XR (mixed reality) devices. It has already filed patents for related technologies.
The XR industry is expected to boom in the coming years. Apple recently launched its Vision Pro XR headset in anticipation of this impending boom. The device is scheduled to hit the market in early 2024. Samsung might be looking to grab this opportunity early with a smart ring that can work with such products. You can expect to hear more about Samsung’s Galaxy Ring efforts in the coming months.
Mastodon, which was once seen as the most viable Twitter alternative, has fallen out of favor lately. After peaking in November 2022, when traffic to the platform exploded by nearly 600 percent, it has tumbled badly. A recent study by Uswitch.com reveals that Mastodon’s popularity has dropped about 84 percent from its peak. BeReal, Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok have also seen less interest in recent months. Instagram, Snapchat, and Telegram are among the social media platforms with growing popularity.
Mastodon drops in popularity after peaking during Twitter’s chaos
According to the new report, Mastodon amassed over four million searches in November last year. The open-source microblogging platform benefitted from Elon Musk’s chaotic takeover of Twitter in October. Musk announced several unpopular changes and also fired thousands of workers without notice. Angered by this, many Twitter users decided to quit the platform and started looking for alternatives. Mastodon emerged as the biggest name, with it gaining over 70,000 new users on the day Musk completed his Twitter takeover.
However, the chaos at Twitter gradually settled down, and it affected Mastodon’s popularity. In June 2023, it saw only 673,000 searches, an 83% drop from its peak. While it isn’t completely out of the game just yet, with searches seeing healthy growth from 450,000 in May 2023, Mastodon appears to be past its peak for once and all. The arrival of Meta’s Threads earlier this month has made things more difficult for the emerging social media platform. Threads is now seen as the real competitor for Twitter.
Since Threads is less than a month old, this study doesn’t evaluate its popularity, which has dropped a little after peaking in the first week of launch. The social media app that has seen the next worst drop in popularity after Mastodon is BeReal. Searches for this platform have declined almost 70 percent between October 2022 and June 2023. Launched in 2020, BeReal encourages users to share photos of their “real” selves rather than edited or filtered photos.
Bluesky, Discord, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, TikTok, and WhatsApp are other social media platforms that have experienced a drop in searches in recent months. On the other hand, searches for Facebook Lite, Instagram, Pinterest, Snapchat, and Telegram peaked last month. Interestingly, a separate study recently showed that Americans are desperately looking to delete Instagram from their devices. So this study may not tell you the full story of a platform’s popularity. But no one can deny that Mastodon and BeReal are gradually falling out of favor.
