Threads has passed X in monthly active users, according to Meta.
The claim came with Meta’s third-quarter 2026 results, which also showed record engagement on Instagram and Facebook and new highs for WhatsApp.
For creators, marketers, and anyone who uses social media, the numbers show how the competition between the major platforms is changing.
This article explains what Meta announced, what the figures mean, and what to watch next.
What Did Meta Announce?
Meta reported its third-quarter 2026 results on October 21, 2026.
During the earnings call, CEO Mark Zuckerberg said Threads has now overtaken X in monthly active users.
He had made a similar claim in an interview a month earlier, but this was the first time Meta stated it alongside its official quarterly results.
Meta also said Threads is continuing to grow quickly.
Time spent per user on Threads rose by more than 20 percent compared with a year earlier.
What Is a Monthly Active User?
A monthly active user is a person who uses an app at least once during a month.
It is a different measure from daily active users, who open the app every day.
Companies often use monthly numbers to show the total size of an audience.
Because platforms count users in different ways, comparing them is not always simple.
The figures are a useful signal, but they do not tell the whole story about how much people actually engage.
Which Numbers Did Meta Share?
Meta did not share a detailed side-by-side comparison of Threads and X in the coverage reviewed.
The company said Threads is ahead on monthly users, but it did not publish exact figures for both platforms in the summaries of the call.
X reports its own numbers separately, and the two companies may count active users differently.
Because of that, the comparison should be treated as Meta’s claim, supported by Meta’s own data.
How Did the Rest of Meta Do?
The wider results were strong.
Meta’s total revenue rose 26 percent compared with a year earlier, to $64.6 billion.
Its family of apps, which includes Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, WhatsApp, and Threads, reached 3.64 billion daily active people.
That was an increase of 40 million during the quarter, though it was slightly below what analysts had expected.
Ad impressions rose 10 percent, and the average price of an ad increased 14 percent.
What About Instagram and Facebook?
Meta said engagement on Facebook and Instagram reached all-time highs.
Video was the main driver of the growth.
Instagram time spent per user grew by double digits compared with last year, with strength across both Reels and the main feed.
Facebook Reels time spent also reached record levels, both in the United States and around the world.
What About WhatsApp?
WhatsApp also set new highs for messaging activity.
Meta said WhatsApp is becoming more important as a platform for businesses and for AI agents.
Revenue from Meta’s other products, which includes WhatsApp paid messaging and subscriptions, reached $1.1 billion.
That figure is up 59 percent from last year.
This shows how quickly WhatsApp is turning from a free chat app into a business platform.
What Is the Cost of All This?
Growth came with a large price tag.
Meta’s expenses rose 68 percent to $51.6 billion.
Part of that was a $9.9 billion charge linked to an August 2026 agreement with state attorneys general in the United States.
The rest came from huge spending on AI infrastructure, such as servers, data centers, and networking.
Capital spending reached about $34.9 billion in the quarter, and free cash flow was negative.
Operating margin fell to 20 percent.
What Is Meta Doing With AI?
Meta also highlighted its AI efforts.
The company said it launched a personal agent called Muse, which reportedly gained more than 10 million users in the United States and Canada within six weeks.
It also said new AI systems that analyze public Instagram posts are improving search results and cutting the cost of processing content.
These investments help explain the sharp rise in spending, and they point to a future where AI is built into every Meta app.
Why Does the Threads Claim Matter?
Threads and X compete for a similar audience.
Both are used for short text posts, news, and public conversation.
If Threads is truly ahead on monthly users, it gives Meta a stronger case when it talks to advertisers and creators.
A bigger audience means more potential reach and more places to show ads.
For creators, it suggests Threads may be a good place to build an audience, especially if you already use Instagram.
What Does This Mean for Creators?
The main lesson is not to rely on a single platform.
Threads is growing, but X still has a large and active audience of its own.
Posting on both can help you reach different groups of people.
Threads posts can link easily to your Instagram profile, which makes it simple to bring followers across.
Watch your own analytics.
Your numbers matter more than a company’s headline claim.
What Does This Mean for Businesses and Marketers?
Businesses should test Threads if they have not already.
If your customers use Instagram, Threads may be an easy place to extend your reach.
Meta has added more ad placements across its apps, so ad costs and results may change as more brands arrive.
Marketers should compare performance across platforms before moving a large share of their budget.
Is X Still Important?
Yes.
X remains a major platform for news, sports, politics, and real-time conversation.
It is also adding new creator tools, such as subscriber-only group chats.
A lead in monthly users does not mean Threads has replaced X for every purpose.
Different audiences prefer different platforms, so the best choice depends on where your readers or customers spend time.
What Should You Watch Next?
A few questions are worth following:
- Will Meta publish exact Threads user numbers?
- How will X respond with its own data?
- Will Threads add more creator and monetization tools?
- How will ad prices change as more advertisers join?
- Will Threads keep growing as the novelty fades?
Meta’s next earnings report is expected in early February 2027.
Frequently Asked Questions
Has Threads really passed X?
Meta says Threads has overtaken X in monthly active users. The comparison is based on Meta’s claim, and the two companies measure users differently.
When did Meta announce this?
On October 21, 2026, during its third-quarter earnings call.
How many people use Meta’s apps?
Meta says 3.64 billion people use at least one of its apps every day.
Is Threads growing?
Yes. Meta says time spent per user on Threads grew by more than 20 percent compared with last year.
Is X shrinking?
Meta did not give details about X’s numbers. X reports its own figures separately.
Should creators move from X to Threads?
Not necessarily. Test both and follow your own analytics.
What is Muse?
Muse is Meta’s new personal AI agent, which the company says gained more than 10 million users in the US and Canada within six weeks.
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Final Thoughts
Meta’s third-quarter results show a company growing fast, spending heavily on AI, and seeing Threads gain ground on X. The claim that Threads leads in monthly users is based on Meta’s own data, so it is wise to treat it as a signal, not a final verdict. Creators and businesses should keep an eye on both platforms and rely on their own results.
