Threads Hits 500 Million Users, Nearly Matching X

Threads has crossed 500 million monthly active users, narrowing the gap with X and cementing its place as one of the largest real-time conversation platforms online. The milestone arrives as Meta continues rolling out new features aimed at sustaining the app’s growth nearly three years after launch.

According to recent disclosures, X had roughly 550 million monthly active users as of May 2026, a figure drawn from SpaceX’s prospectus following its acquisition of the platform. Because X does not publish official usage data, most figures attributed to the platform circulate informally, often through posts from owner Elon Musk. That leaves only a 50-million-user gap between the two apps.

Communities Get a Bigger Role

Meta is leaning further into Threads’ community features as part of its growth push. The communities function, recently moved out of beta, now includes custom icons, expanded recognition for active contributors, and a new sidebar hub so members can quickly return to favorite discussion groups. Threads is also testing progress indicators showing when a topic is close to becoming its own community, alongside expanded live chats with co-hosting options. The company is introducing localized communities too, starting with native-language tags for Japan, Korea, and Taiwan, markets where X already has a strong foothold.

Algorithm Controls Expand to Threads

Meta has also brought its “Your Algo” tool to Threads, letting users directly adjust what content the algorithm prioritizes for up to seven days. The feature, already active on Instagram, is distinct from Threads’ existing “Dear Algo” tool, which lets users request feed changes by posting in-stream. Your Algo is rolling out first in the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Australia, and New Zealand.

Three years after its rocky debut as a Twitter alternative, Threads now appears to be closing in on its rival in both scale and feature depth.