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Launched in 2006, Twitter has gained considerable following up until business mogul Elon Musk acquired it in 2022. With users disheartened by Musk's decisions, such as lifting the ban on accounts previously branded as spreading misinformation, different companies offer social media alternatives.
 

You may have noticed some recent changes in your go-to app if you're a long-time Twitter user. First, the blue check mark next to the user name no longer pertains to notable accounts; now, anyone who pays the US$11 monthly subscription can get verification. But the most glaring change is that the app is no longer called Twitter. Instead of the iconic bird logo, users now see an X symbol on top of their feed.

The reason for the name change? When Musk acquired Twitter, he established a new company named X Corp. Now, X's vision is to be a platform of boundless engagement for its users. This means the basic exchange of audio, video and text messages will be enhanced by other services, such as transactions, earning opportunities and more.

Though the expanded version promises impressive features, old Twitter users are longing for the simpler days when they could send short "tweets" out to the cyberverse and followers with a less algorithmic timeline.

Because of this clamor, other companies are churning out social media platforms with old-Twitter vibes, hoping to entice X deserters. 

Meet Mastodon

This open-source Twitter replacement experienced an uptick in users when the X rebrand broke out on the website. An open-source format means you can change, set up and download Mastodon on your personal server. Since October last year, Mastodon has garnered over two million active users monthly.

Introduced in 2016 by Eugen Rochko, Mastodon has its roots in Germany. Unlike typical social media services, Mastodon is non-profit, which means it seeks to prioritize its users instead of its investors. In an interview, Rochko explained that the move aims to channel funds and resources for getting more employees and developing other apps. 

Because of its decentralized format, Mastodon servers may be managed by individuals or teams that can formulate their guidelines for interaction and signups. You can join automatically, via invites, or through admin approval. Still, you can follow others from different servers as long as you know the specific usernames. Another feature some users may find helpful is that Mastodon allows access to other social networks that are also decentralized.

Like Twitter, Mastodon features hashtags, replies, reposts, and favorites. But sliding a DM? Nope. Also, since Mastodon has a limited clientele base, it's less intuitive than Twitter. However, this can change as more users join in. Another disadvantage is that you may still need help finding groups that fit your preferences. The best thing to do is ask experienced Mastodon users what's out there so you're prepared once you enter the platform. If you're feeling adventurous, make a random choice. After all, you can always change servers when you know your way around. 

Despite these weak points, Mastodon is thankfully flexible. With diverse communities adopting different protocols, user experiences are richer and can be tailor-fit according to your needs. 

Enter, Threads

If you're an Instagram fan, using Threads may be a logical choice. You can log in to this app using your Instagram account and share text posts with a maximum of 500 characters. Aside from links and photos, you can also upload five-minute videos. As of now, Threads is a mobile-only platform, but according to Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, he hopes to migrate the app to the web soon.

Last August 9, 2023, Meta shared Threads' most recent updates, allowing users to share threads via Instagram DMs. There's also a mention button to give quick shout outs to followers. 

Before posting photos and videos, you can change their default alt-text descriptions. 

Feed customization is also Threads' selling point, letting you see preferred posts you've specified in their setting. Meanwhile, you can arrange your followers from the earliest to the latest. Like other formats, feeds are chronological with a "For you" option that features recommended posts and those from people you follow. If you want a more curated experience, narrow your feed to include only people you follow through the "Following" option.

Even language isn't a barrier with Threads, with posts instantly translated to the viewer’s local language. Like on Instagram, there's a translation button at the post's bottom.

As of writing, Threads has a whopping 120 million users. Further taking its cue from Instagram, the app lets you unfollow, restrict, block or report a profile. The Meta site also unveils its plans to align Threads with the open social networking protocol ActivityPub. With this move, you can access Threads through other platforms compatible with ActivityPub.

Introducing, Bluesky

For those missing Twitter, knowing that Bluesky was initiated by Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey in 2019 may be a comfort. Its goal? To develop a decentralized social app that mirrors Twitter's interface but with customizable admin protocols, depending on the communities. In 2022, Twitter and Bluesky amicably parted ways. Now, it has become a viable alternative to the now-defunct original platform.

For now, you can enter Bluesky via invitation only. Once inside, you get a classic Twitter feel, letting you post up to 256 characters and photos. You can reply, repost, and like. In its initial version, Bluesky offered a "What's Hot" button, which shows posts you may find engaging. But the most recent version doesn't have this option anymore. Instead, it features "Discover", which shows accounts you may want to follow—and "Popular with Friends", which offers engaging posts from users you follow and content they like.

But unlike Twitter, Bluesky has yet to offer direct messaging. Another limitation is that because of its invite-only system, the platform has just over 700,000 users, with over a million on its waiting list. Still, Bluesky says this strategy is part of its open-source device to help server administrators regulate their communities.

Available in IOS and Android, Bluesky aims to find other funding sources besides advertising so users can continue enjoying it for free.

So, which Twitter wannabe is the winner? The answer depends on you. Read up on features and comments and try them out for yourself. And when you finally find the right one for you, post about it. 
 

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