Internal communications reveal Musk's concerns amid competition and advertising shifts.
Elon Musk, the well-known technology entrepreneur, has conveyed concerns about the economic challenges faced by his social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter.
This follows an acquisition completed in October 2022 for approximately $44 billion.
According to a report by the Wall Street Journal, internal emails from Musk indicate dissatisfaction with stagnant user growth and weaker-than-expected revenue figures, contributing to financial difficulties.
One of the primary obstacles for X has been the decline in advertising revenue.
Following the acquisition, advertisers expressed concerns about Musk's controversial reputation, impacting their willingness to engage with the platform.
Furthermore, reports highlighted that advertisements appeared alongside objectionable content, which has dissuaded some advertisers from maintaining their presence on X. The decision by Musk to relax certain content restrictions previously in place under Twitter has been cited as a contributing factor.
Efforts have been made to counter these challenges, led by X's top business executive, Linda Yaccarino, who joined from NBC Universal in 2023. The team has been actively seeking to regain advertiser confidence, with some advertisers reportedly re-engaging with the platform.
The competitive landscape has intensified with Meta Platforms Inc., the parent company of
Facebook, introducing advertising on Threads, an emergent rival to X. With over 300 million monthly active users, Threads presents a significant opportunity for advertisers.
Meta CEO
Mark Zuckerberg has also indicated a shift towards more flexible content restrictions, which could present similar advertising challenges.
The shifting dynamics of digital advertising and heightened competition underscore the ongoing challenges that X faces in its pursuit of financial stability and growth within the evolving industry.