X usage declined in the EU in the second half of 2025

03/03/26
Source: Social Media Today – Latest News by Andrew Hutchinson. Read the original article

TL;DR Summary of X Platform’s EU Usage Decline in Late 2025

X platform’s user activity in the EU decreased by nearly 15% in the second half of 2025, despite earlier growth in the year. This dip contrasts with the company’s claims of record-high usage and engagement. Additionally, moderation staff numbers in the EU have halved, indicating reduced content oversight. These trends raise questions about X’s sustained relevance and growth in the European market.

Optimixed’s Overview: Analyzing the Recent Decline in X Platform’s European User Engagement

Background and Reporting Requirements

Following the Digital Services Act, X is mandated to disclose detailed usage data, moderation activities, and staffing levels within the EU. This transparency aims to ensure compliance and enable regulatory auditing.

Usage Trends in the EU

  • First half of 2025: X reported approximately 76 million active EU users, indicating growth from prior periods.
  • Second half of 2025: Active EU users dropped to 64.8 million, a decline of nearly 15% or 11 million users.
  • This decline aligns with fluctuating usage patterns, but contradicts the company’s public statements about continuous record growth.

Global User Base Claims vs. Verified Data

While Elon Musk asserts that X has up to a billion users globally based on app installations, industry standards prioritize active user metrics. Verified figures show:

  • Twitter had 238 million monetizable daily active users in July 2022.
  • Musk claims 300 million daily active users on X as of May 2024.
  • Monthly active users previously reported range between 500 million and 600 million.

These numbers suggest growth under Musk’s leadership, but the lack of transparent, comprehensive data limits definitive conclusions.

Moderation Staffing Developments

Moderation staff dedicated to the EU region decreased from 2,294 in November 2023 to just 1,059 in the latest reporting period. This reduction could impact content management and platform trustworthiness.

Implications

The EU-specific decline in active users and moderation resources raises concerns about X’s ability to maintain engagement and compliance in a key market. While usage may remain strong globally, these trends suggest challenges ahead for X’s growth strategy and regulatory adherence within Europe.