Hive finds fresh buzz in Twitter exodus

The Future. As many users leave Twitter for the allegedly greener pastures of new platforms, Hive has been flagged as one of the potential best of the bunch. So, people are flocking to it faster than the app can probably handle. With Hive (as well as platforms like Mastodon and BeReal) eschewing the tech hallmarks of algorithms and brand marketing, the new trend in social networking may favor authenticity over advertising.

All abuzz
Hive is swarming with new users, reports TechCrunch.

• Recent data from Sensor Tower found that the app has been installed over 214,00 times on iOS and Android devices over the past month.
• When TechCrunch checked last, that gave Hive 733,000 users (86% outside the US)… but founder Kassandra Pop says that users have already surged to over a million in the past few days.
• All that activity has shot Hive up the App Store charts — No.17 in the US (up from 338), No. 17 in the UK, and No. 24 in Canada.

Besides Pop, Hive’s team includes only two other developers who are probably working overtime to keep the app running (it crashed over the weekend), while Pop fields calls from VCs eager to invest.

A little old, a little new
So, what is Hive? It feels like a cross between Instagram, Twitter, and even Myspace.

• It’s a timeline-based platform like Twitter, with the ability to post, like, comment, and share.
• But it also has a Discover section to find posts on topics like Music, Fashion, Books, Travel, Gaming, Art, and Food.
• And that nod to Myspace? Users can add music to their profiles.

Unlike the apps mentioned, Hive has no “personalization algorithms” (everything is chronological) and doesn’t monetize from ads. Instead, the platform makes a little money from charging users for extra features — like $0.99 for a second music slot on your profile.

But even if you switch to Hive, you may not escape all the headaches currently affecting Twitter — the app doesn’t allow for unique usernames yet, so impersonation is a big threat.