Twitter Serves Power Users

Shaan Puri shares his perspective on Twitter's fundamental challenge: it primarily serves power users while struggling to attract and retain mainstream users. This limitation affects its growth potential compared to other social platforms.

Key Points:

• Core Platform Issues:

  • All complaints (bots, verification, algorithm) come from power users
  • Regular users don't avoid Twitter because of these technical issues
  • Platform is 5x smaller than other major social services
  • Growth remains stagnant

• Mainstream User Challenge:

  • Average people "don't get it" or see value in the platform
  • Unlike Instagram/WhatsApp/Snapchat, Twitter hasn't given regular users a clear reason to need it
  • Example: "My mom doesn't use Twitter because of bots... she just doesn't see value in it"

• Comparison to Other Platforms:

  • Instagram: People need it to keep up with interests (e.g., "bollywood")
  • Snapchat: People need it to see pictures of their kids
  • WhatsApp: Clear communication value proposition

• Core Problem:

  • Twitter only addresses needs for a specific type of user
  • Doesn't solve problems for "a whole bunch of other people on the planet"
  • To become more valuable, needs to expand beyond current user base

• Growth Challenge:

  • 300 million users but doesn't grow significantly
  • Lacks compelling value proposition for mainstream adoption
  • Core need it addresses only works for specific user types