Key Stats
Twitter, now known as X, transformed global communication by pioneering microblogging. The platform allowed users to share short messages called tweets, originally limited to 140 characters. Twitter became essential for breaking news, public discourse, and real-time conversations.
The company went public in 2013 and operated independently until Elon Musk acquired it in October 2022 for $44 billion. Under Musk’s ownership, the platform rebranded to X in July 2023 with ambitions to become an everything app. The company remains a significant player in social media despite facing increased competition.
Twitter History
Twitter Co-founders
Twitter Revenue
Twitter generated revenue primarily through advertising and data licensing. The company reached its peak revenue of $5.08 billion in 2021. Revenue declined significantly after the Musk acquisition as advertisers paused spending amid platform changes.
Twitter Competitors
Twitter faces competition from various social media platforms. Meta launched Threads in July 2023 as a direct competitor. Bluesky, co-founded by Jack Dorsey, gained significant traction following the X rebrand.
| Platform | Parent Company | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|
| Threads | Meta Platforms | Instagram integration, 500-character posts |
| Bluesky | Bluesky Social | Decentralized protocol, customizable feeds |
| Mastodon | Independent servers | Federated social network, ad-free |
| Meta Platforms | Photo and video sharing, Stories | |
| Meta Platforms | Comprehensive social networking | |
| TikTok | ByteDance | Short-form video content |
| Microsoft | Professional networking | |
| Reddit Inc. | Community-based discussions | |
| Snapchat | Snap Inc. | Ephemeral messaging, AR filters |
| Discord | Discord Inc. | Server-based communities, voice chat |
Twitter Marketcap
Twitter’s market capitalization fluctuated significantly during its time as a public company. The stock reached an all-time high of $77.63 in March 2021. Musk acquired the company at $54.20 per share in October 2022, valuing it at $44 billion.
Twitter Acquisitions
Twitter made over 50 acquisitions during its history to expand capabilities in advertising, video, and mobile technology. The company pursued aggressive acquisition strategies under CEO Dick Costolo, completing approximately 40 deals in five years.
The Vine acquisition in October 2012 brought short-form video capabilities to Twitter. Vine allowed users to create six-second looping videos and quickly attracted millions of users. Competition from Instagram led Twitter to shut down Vine in October 2016.
MoPub joined Twitter in September 2013 for $350 million. The mobile ad exchange platform became a significant revenue driver by enabling real-time bidding for app advertisements. Twitter later sold MoPub to AppLovin for $1.05 billion in January 2022.
Periscope arrived in March 2015 and enabled live video streaming directly from mobile devices. The acquisition positioned Twitter as a leader in live content before competitors entered the space. Twitter discontinued Periscope in March 2021 due to declining usage.
TellApart enhanced Twitter’s advertising technology when acquired in April 2015 for $533 million. The company specialized in targeted advertising for e-commerce businesses. Other notable acquisitions included TweetDeck for social media management, Crashlytics for mobile analytics, and Bluefin Labs for social TV measurement.
Revue joined Twitter in January 2021 to add newsletter capabilities. The acquisition aimed to compete with platforms like Substack by helping writers monetize their content. Microsoft competitor LinkedIn pursued similar newsletter features during this period.
FAQs
When was Twitter founded?
Twitter was founded on March 21, 2006, by Jack Dorsey, Noah Glass, Biz Stone, and Evan Williams. The platform launched publicly in July 2006.
Who owns Twitter now?
Elon Musk acquired Twitter in October 2022 for $44 billion. The company rebranded to X in July 2023 and merged with xAI in 2025.
Why did Twitter change its name to X?
Elon Musk rebranded Twitter to X in July 2023 as part of his vision to create an everything app offering messaging, payments, and other services.
What was Twitter’s highest stock price?
Twitter stock reached its all-time high of $77.63 on March 1, 2021. The company was acquired at $54.20 per share in October 2022.
Who sent the first tweet?
Jack Dorsey sent the first tweet on March 21, 2006. The tweet read “just setting up my twttr” and marked the platform’s beginning.

