8 Twitter Alternatives Marketers Need to Know About

Ever since Elon Musk stepped into the CEO seat at Twitter, the ripple effects have shaken the very foundation of the platform’s advertising ecosystem. With a swift reshuffle of leadership, controversial reinstatements, and a growing atmosphere of explicit content and unmoderated speech, major advertisers have taken a step back. Twitter’s U.S. ad revenue has plummeted by 59% year-on-year. Brands such as Coca-Cola, Jeep, and Unilever have already pulled their campaigns.

But with Twitter’s uncertain trajectory, marketers are left pondering a pressing question: where should their budgets go next? The social media landscape is vast, but finding the right mix of user base, content culture, and monetization opportunities can be complex. Let’s dive into eight emerging Twitter alternatives marketers need to know about—and evaluate what each has to offer in terms of reach, engagement, and brand compatibility.

1. Threads

Active Users: 30 million

Launched by Meta, Threads entered the chat with undeniable momentum. With over five million sign-ups in the first few hours—including big names like Netflix and HBO—the platform positions itself as a direct Twitter competitor. Meta’s track record suggests a familiar blueprint: launch without ads, build a loyal base, and slowly weave monetization into the experience.

While advertisers can’t currently place ads on Threads, this may soon change. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has hinted at his ambitions for the platform to eventually surpass Twitter in scale. With Threads already accessible in over 100 countries (excluding the EU for now), marketers should keep this social networking platform firmly on their radar.

2. Bluesky

Active Users: 1 million

Bluesky is perhaps the most enigmatic of the Twitter alternatives marketers are eyeing. Born as a side project at Twitter and now operating independently, it is a decentralized platform still in its invitation-only phase.

Bluesky is not prioritizing traditional advertising. Instead, it’s experimenting with novel monetization models—an approach that may appeal to marketers looking to test more organic or sponsored content strategies. While the app is still under development, its alignment with internet decentralization trends makes it a unique space for forward-thinking brands to explore niche audiences.

3. Substack Notes

Active Users: 35 million

Not just a newsletter hub anymore, Substack Notes is designed for short-form posts and idea-sharing among writers and readers. Think Twitter, but powered by independent thought and direct writer-reader relationships.

Advertising in the traditional sense is discouraged here. However, creators are using subscriptions, sponsorships, and branded content to monetize effectively. The platform encourages valuable, story-driven user-generated content (UGC campaigns), which can be especially appealing for marketers focusing on engagement through authenticity and thought leadership.

4. Post

Active Users: 430,000

Created by former Waze CEO Noam Bardin, Post is built on the principle of restoring civility and quality to online discourse. It offers a unique model where users purchase points to access premium content from top-tier publishers—no subscriptions, and minimal ads.

For marketers, Post may seem limiting. But rather than focusing on push-style promotion, the platform favors informative and engaging brand content. Sharing thought-provoking industry insights or educational pieces aligns better with Post’s ecosystem, creating an indirect but credible form of engagement.

5. Mastodon

Active Users: 10 million

Mastodon isn’t new—it debuted in 2016—but it gained fresh traction after Twitter’s recent shakeups. It operates similarly to Twitter in its UX but is decentralized and nonprofit.

No ads here. Instead, Mastodon opens up space for UGC campaigns, affiliate partnerships, and sponsorship-based strategies. For marketers who prioritize community-driven interactions over algorithmic visibility, this platform presents a refreshing landscape for social media engagements that feel more grounded and less transactional.

6. Spill

Active Users: 20,000

A fledgling entrant developed by former Twitter employees, Spill aims to foster a culturally aware and inclusive environment—especially for marginalized communities like people of color and LGBTQ+ users.

Though still in beta and available only to iOS users, Spill has already secured interest from early advertisers and celebrities like Lizzo and Questlove. Details on ad formats remain scarce, but the platform’s focus on community safety and equity is likely to attract brands that prioritize social responsibility and genuine engagement.

7. Hive

Active Users: 1 million

Mobile-only and algorithm-free, Hive keeps things simple by organizing posts chronologically—no predictive content curation here. Initially hyped as a Twitter alternative post-Musk acquisition, its growth has since plateaued.

Hive doesn’t support advertising or business accounts at the moment. But marketers can still maintain a presence by posting links and participating in topical discussions. This minimalist approach could benefit smaller brands or startups aiming to build trust through transparent, one-to-one social media engagements.

8. Spoutible

Active Users: 240,000

Spoutible stands out not just as the only Black-owned social networking platform on the list but also for its strict moderation policies. No unsolicited advertising, no direct product messaging, and certainly no giveaways.

Despite these limitations, the platform’s commitment to safety and inclusion could be a valuable draw for mission-driven brands. While traditional ads are off-limits, Spoutible encourages conversations that can naturally include brand ethos and values—an indirect but meaningful way to cultivate audience affinity.

Why Marketers Are Moving Away from Twitter

The discontent began when Elon Musk’s acquisition led to a wave of uncertainty: executive shakeups, amplified misinformation, controversial reinstatements, and lax content moderation. Coupled with an uptick in ads for marijuana and gambling, many advertisers have reassessed their strategies.

With Twitter boasting 450 million global users, it’s still a major player. But the erosion of brand safety has compelled many to seek out more controlled environments. In this changing landscape, social media platforms with focused communities and robust moderation are gaining traction as viable Twitter alternatives marketers should evaluate seriously.

The Bottom Line

Twitter’s decline in advertiser trust has cracked the door open for a new generation of platforms. Whether you’re drawn to the mass appeal of Threads, the creative autonomy of Substack Notes, or the principled moderation of Spoutible, each of these social media platforms offers distinct value.

In 2024, the most successful marketers won’t just be those who jump ship from Twitter. They’ll be the ones who experiment, adapt, and thrive across this expanding constellation of social networking platforms.

Looking to explore Twitter alternatives marketers can trust? At Engage Coders, we help brands thrive across emerging social media platforms with tailored strategies that boost social media engagements and leverage impactful UGC campaigns.

Let’s build your presence where your audience is headed—get in touch today.