How X (Formerly Twitter) Misrepresents Its App Store Rankings Through Strategic Categorization
X’s Reclassification as a “News” App
Since 2016, X (formerly Twitter) has creatively categorized itself as a news app on the iOS App Store to improve market perception and distance itself from the “social media” label, where it lagged behind competitors like Facebook and Instagram.
This strategic move allows X to claim top rankings as the most downloaded news app in multiple countries, including France, Brazil, and Australia, despite the app primarily featuring user-generated content rather than curated editorial news.
Why This Categorization is Misleading
- X’s “news app” status on iOS is largely due to its huge user base rather than its actual role as a traditional news outlet.
- Many other genuine news apps in the same category have significantly fewer active users compared to X.
- On Android, X cannot categorize itself as a news app because its content is primarily user-generated, highlighting the artificial nature of its iOS classification.
The Impact on Market Perception and Usage
X continues to leverage these rankings to portray itself as a dominant news platform, even amid criticism of its leadership and declining user engagement.
However, recent data indicates a 15% drop in overall European usage since Elon Musk’s acquisition, contradicting claims of enduring popularity.
Ultimately, X is neither the top news app nor the leading social media platform; it occupies a middle-ground position with a more limited audience reach than suggested by its app store rankings.
Source: Social Media Today – Latest News by Andrew Hutchinson. Read original.
