If you’ve been in the Twittersphere, you’re probably aware of Elon Musk’s shenanigans. To prevent the erasure of potentially valuable data from Twitter, Musk put a tweet limit into motion, causing many users to get locked out of their accounts on July 1. The tweet restriction was only temporary, but the damage to the user experience might be long-lasting.
Many Twitter users have expressed their grievances with the culture of Twitter and the overall mishandling of social media since Musk bought the app in 2022. According to GLAAD’s 2023 Social Media Safety Index report, Twitter was named the “most dangerous platform for LGTBQ people.” It may be time for a new app to take over (and no, I’m not talking about Threads): the Spill app might be your next social media destination.
What is the Spill app?
Introducing: the Spill app, created by two former Twitter employees, Alphonzo “Phonz” Terell, and Devaris Brown. The founders created Spill with the user experience at the forefront. Spill combines the best things about “Black Twitter” and makes them accessible for users across the platform while keeping out the negative aspects of what Twitter is known for.
The most significant difference between Spill and Twitter is the app’s visuals-first aspect. Spill allows users to use pictures and GIFs to create memorable memes. The app has a “Spillboard,” which features the hottest and trendiest topics. According to Insider, the Spill app also focuses heavily on being a safe space for the “voices of marginalized communities — such as women, queer people, and Black people — to be heard without discrimination.” Twitter has a long history of allowing disrespect to these communities, and Spill is working to mitigate that as much as possible.
The app was “built around creating safety for diverse communities,” who are the “culture drivers,” according to the founders in an interview with AfroTech. The app is still within the Beta stage, only released to the public in January, so “Spillionares” can look forward to seeing it evolve as it grows.
Currently, Spill is an invite-only app, meaning you must have a code to access the app. 130,000 users signed up for Spill in early July, and it became the third most downloaded free app after Musk’s restrictions. If you want to join the fun over on the Spill app, you’ll have to join the waitlist for now.
How does Spill compare to Threads and Twitter?
The ironic timing of Twitter-inspired apps has spread, like with Threads, which Meta CEO and Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg launched on July 6. According to Complex, the app has the fastest downloads, with a record time of 1.5 hours, and now has 100 million users. Zuckerberg called the app a “friendly” rival to Twitter, but Musk might not see it that way: Insider reports the rivalry has gotten so intense that Twitter sent Meta a cease and desist letter.
Threads simplifies the sign-up process more than Spill, and links active Instagram accounts to the Threads account, so there’s no waiting. If you delete your Threads account, however, you will also delete or deactivate the connected Instagram account, according to Instagram’s help center. Comparing the three apps, Twitter, Threads, and Spill, it all comes down to preference. There’s something for everyone on these apps, allowing social media lovers to find their favorite platform to connect.
For the first time since 2006, there is competition for the most popular text-based app. It will be interesting to see if Spill and Threads stand the test of time and have lasting power over Twitter. There is more variety for social media users, a little bit of something for everyone, or you might be running from app to app, checking out the conversations on all platforms.