People are leaving Twitter -- here's why

If you've noticed lately that your X (Formerly Twitter) follower count has started going down -- by a lot -- you're not alone. People are leaving Twitter by the masses, and while the app is unlikely to empty out completely, it has already shifted a lot over the past few weeks.

The app's decision to consider removing the block button got a lot of users closer to leaving, but there are a few reasons many have exited the platform completely (or choose not to use it anymore, even if they don't delete).

New AI policies

Artists in particular have become rightfully concerned with Twitter's new policies regarding AI training. Users cannot seemingly opt out of this experience, which has left many users with no other choice but to delete their accounts and leave the platform entirely.

No matter how you feel about AI as a concept, platforms should theoretically always give users the chance to opt out of their data being used without their consent. But Twitter doesn't seem too concerned about leaving this option open-ended.

The U.S. election results

Let's just say there's a certain demographic who is more likely to pay for a verified badge and loudly declare their opinions (and misinformation) for all to hear/read. Many who don't want to see this problem worsen on social media are choosing to remove themselves from the equation.

The platform's owner isn't helping matters, as he makes no secret of whom he supports and what that means for the users of his social media app.

The algorithm

In all honesty, many have been contemplating leaving the platform due to drastic shifts in the app's functionality (or lack thereof) since the change in ownership a few years ago. Twitter's algorithm now tends to favor paid subscribers over everything else, which means many users just aren't seeing what they want to see in their feeds anymore.

On other apps like Bluesky, feeds are arranged in chronological order and can be easily separated into lists or categories.