Lifewire: Why Twitter users are flocking to Mastodon
UC social media expert Jeffrey Blevins on the alternatives to Twitter
In a Lifewire article, it’s said that social platforms such as Mastodon have added about 30,000 new users in the hours after the Twitter sale.
Twitter, however, might be too entrenched in the social media sphere to be abandoned by users, says Jeffrey Blevins, who heads UC’s Department of Journalism.
The main advantage of Twitter is that it is established, he said, adding that “it’s also easier to build a large group of followers on Twitter because most people have their accounts set to be public (unlike Facebook, for instance, where you have to accept someone's friend request to see their activity).
"Also, because of the hashtag function on Twitter, it's easier to search and comment on specific topics across networks; that is, people outside of your own group of followers, or accounts that you follow," Blevins said.
Featured image at top of Jeffrey Blevins. Photo/UC Ceative + Brand/Colleen Kelly.
Related Stories
Ohio nurses weigh in on proposed federal loan rule
December 12, 2025
Spectrum News journalist Javari Burnett spoke with UC Dean Alicia Ribar and UC nursing students Megan Romero and Nevaeh Haskins about proposed new federal student loan rules. Romero and Haskins, both seniors, were filmed in the College of Nursing’s Simulation Lab.
Bearcat Mascot, Cheer Team and scholarships help celebrate Decision Day
December 12, 2025
Cincinnati media organization provided news coverage of Decision Day activities at the University of Cincinnati on Dec. 10, 2025. Surprise announcements of the 2026 Marian Spencer Scholarship recipient occurred during the day.
UC awarded nearly $1 million to help fight infant obesity spike
December 12, 2025
University of Cincinnati researcher Cathy Stough spoke with Spectrum News1 about a nearly $1 million National Institutes of Health grant awarded to UC to help prevent infant obesity through early nutrition support and family-based interventions.