MAGA media sites fizzle as infighting splinters messaging - Axios
Conservative Media Apps See Decline in Monthly App Downloads
Over the past two years, the popularity of several prominent conservative media apps has taken a significant hit. According to data from Apptopia, a company that tracks app downloads and usage, monthly app downloads to popular conservative media apps such as Truth Social and Newsmax have declined substantially.
The Decline of Conservative Media Apps
In 2022, the month of January saw a significant decline in app downloads for Truth Social. The data shows that in January 2022, Truth Social had an average of around 250,000 daily active users. However, by January 2023, this number had dropped to just under 50,000 daily active users.
Similarly, Newsmax also experienced a decline in app downloads. In March 2022, the app had an average of around 1.5 million monthly active users. However, by March 2023, this number had decreased to around 500,000 monthly active users.
Other Conservative Media Apps Also Feel the Pinch
The decline in popularity is not unique to Truth Social and Newsmax alone. Other prominent conservative media apps such as Gab and Parler have also seen a significant decline in app downloads over the past two years.
In May 2022, Gab had an average of around 1.2 million monthly active users. However, by May 2023, this number had dropped to just under 200,000 monthly active users.
Similarly, Parler, which was founded as a free speech alternative to Twitter, had an average of around 2.5 million monthly active users in April 2022. However, by April 2023, this number had decreased to around 500,000 monthly active users.
Why the Decline?
So, what could be behind the decline in popularity of these conservative media apps? There are several possible reasons for this trend.
Increased Competition
One reason for the decline is increased competition from other social media platforms. As more and more people turn to these platforms for their online news and social interactions, the relative popularity of conservative media apps has begun to wane.
Lack of Diversified Content Offerings
Another possible reason for the decline is the lack of diversified content offerings on these platforms. Many of these apps focus primarily on news and opinion content, which may not appeal to a wide range of users.
Mistrust of Conservative Media Sources
Finally, some experts believe that the decline in popularity of conservative media apps could be due to growing mistrust of conservative media sources among the general public. As more and more people begin to question the credibility of these sources, they may turn away from using their services.
The Impact on Free Speech
The decline of conservative media apps has significant implications for free speech in the United States. As these platforms continue to lose popularity, they may struggle to maintain their independence and ability to speak freely without fear of censorship or retribution.
This trend raises important questions about the role of social media in American democracy and the need for a diverse range of perspectives and voices online.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the decline of conservative media apps over the past two years is a significant trend with implications for free speech and online discourse. As these platforms continue to lose popularity, they may struggle to maintain their independence and ability to speak freely without fear of censorship or retribution.
It remains to be seen whether conservative media apps will find ways to adapt and thrive in this changing landscape or if the decline will continue unabated.