There’s been speculation that this might be a test to see if absence of third-party #Twitter apps affects engagement. But it doesn’t matter anymore. We’re watching the developers react in real-time on a competing platform. Their trust in Twitter is gone. Their customers’ trust in Twitter is gone. And they’re more loyal to the developers than they ever were to Twitter. API usage could have been a feature of Blue. But now people are lining up to pay for #Ivory, #Mammoth, #Mona, etc.—not Twitter.
@dmnelson this didn't create a bump in Mastodon sign ups though. which sadly suggests that by and large 3rd party app users (those who haven't left already) are sticking with twitter.
@megachris @herid @dmnelson I’m quite surprised that there’s been no bump at all. I’m not sure what the explanation is, but I suspect whoever is left on Twitter is going to be much harder to attract to Mastodon than the earlier converts.
@john @megachris @dmnelson yes. I've been watching @mastodonusercount and there isn't even a small bump in the last two days.
I find this disappointing but I think your take is correct.
@john @megachris @dmnelson @mastodonusercount
it would certainly be nice to have those apps and I am very much looking forward to Ivory that tapbots is making but I don't think that's what holding up Mastodon migration. A number of Mastodon apps are already available including the official app.
@herid @megachris @dmnelson @mastodonusercount in general? No. But we’re talking the specific context of no bump from Twitter disconnecting particular apps.
@herid @megachris @dmnelson @mastodonusercount part of the problem might be that none of the big Twitter apps have actually have their Mastodon apps available yet. It’s would be so much better to have people be able to download a replacement app for Mastodon straight away.
Oh well. Tapbots have been trying really hard. I just wish they’d always had the backup plan!