Currently, 27 percent of adults in the United States know about Truth Social, even though not all of them have joined it. Forbes is currently reporting over 2 million active users on Truth Social globally.
This is a fairly impressive number considering that the platform is barely two years old. So, the main question is: Why is Truth Social so popular? There are several reasons for the apparent growth in popularity.
This article discusses the popularity of the Truth Social app and the reasons behind it.
What Is Truth Social?
Stylized as TRUTH Social, Truth Social is a social media platform developed in 2021 following the defeat of Donald J. Trump in the presidential elections by Joe Biden, and the subsequent ban of the 45th President of the United States from Twitter and Facebook.
Trump was banned from the two platforms following his alleged incitement to his supporters to storm the Capitol on January 6th, 2021 to protest his loss. But true to his promise and defiant character, Trump immediately began developing his own social media platform where he and his supporters could share their thoughts and frustrations without the fear of being censored.
In May 2021, the former U.S. President announced on Telegram that he was launching a web page titled “From the Desk of Donald J. Trump.” But the page was shut down a few weeks later.
Truth Social was officially launched in October of the same year. It runs on a customized version of Mastodon – a free and open-source program that hosts social networks. This hosting option omits some key features like post visibility choices and polls.
Truth Social is owned and managed by Trump Media and Technology Group. The platform touts itself as the “Big Intent” stage where people are free to express themselves on any topic, especially politics.
How Popular Is Truth Social?
A few months after its official release, Truth Social had recorded over a million subscribers. Currently, it enjoys over two million active users. This number is expected to rise significantly in the next few months as Trump continues to mobilize his support base in readiness for the upcoming presidential election.
In April 2022, Truth Social topped the list of most popular apps in the Apple Store, beating Twitter and TikTok. Even Elon Musk couldn’t believe how fast the app was winning the hearts of social media users across the world.
However, some users have accused moderators on the app of hiding some posts, especially those that don’t align with Trump’s political beliefs and inclinations.
Why Is Truth Social So Popular?
There are two main reasons why Truth Social is so popular: Donald J. Trump and the Zero Censorship policy. Let’s expound on these two reasons.
Zero Censorship Policy
The truth about social media platforms is that most of them, especially the mainstream ones, don’t condone free speech. Your chances of getting banned from mainstream social media platforms for posting content that goes against popular beliefs are very high.
A good example of social media censorship is the recent decision by Elon Musk to cap the number of posts a Twitter user can view in a day. This simply means that you’re not in control of your account.
Someone else determines who views your posts and what you see on the platform. This is outright censorship. That’s the whole truth behind social media gatekeeping strategies.
With Truth Social, you’ll enjoy a great deal of freedom, especially if you hold strong political opinions. Although the app moderates posts that incite violence and promote sexual acts, you’re free to express your opinion without the fear of getting banned.
The Trump Factor
As mentioned above, the idea to develop Truth Social was birthed immediately after Donald Trump was defeated by President Joe Biden and his subsequent ban from Twitter and Facebook.
Many Trump supporters didn’t take the ban kindly, especially since it was imposed almost immediately after Joe Biden was declared the winner of one of the most fiercely contested presidential elections in U.S. history.
So, when Trump announced his plan to develop his own social media platform to compete with Twitter and Facebook, his supporters and those who believe in free speech were eager to join it. In fact, many of his followers deactivated their Twitter and Facebook accounts immediately after he was banned.
So, their only option was to join Truth Social when it was launched. The platform has become an effective tool for mobilizing Trump’s supporters as the presidential election in the U.S. draws closer. Many people are using the platform to express their strong political opinions.
Frequently Asked Questions About Truth Social
How many people are currently using Truth Social?
Currently, Truth Social has over 2 million active users with an active daily user base of 513,000. This is fairly low compared to Twitter’s active daily user base of 217 million.
How do I get followers on Truth Social?
To get more followers on Truth Social, you have to complete your profile and provide accurate details. This way, people can easily find you on the platform when they search for your details. Secondly, you should post frequently and keep your content exciting and engaging.
