In an effort to shake up the social media space, an app called Truth Social has launched as an alternative to Twitter and Facebook. But what exactly is the app, and how do you join if you're interested? Social media is an aspect of the internet that's all but impossible to ignore. From connecting with friends, staying in touch with work colleagues, or chatting with distant family members, it's an important tool in many people's lives.
Today, that social media landscape is largely consumed by a handful of apps. Facebook is the largest one by a considerable margin, Instagram continues to be a popular platform for sharing photos/videos, Twitter is still chugging along, and TikTok exploded as the new destination for short-form videos. Now, Truth Social is joining the mix as another hopeful contender in the space.
Even if you aren't deeply entrenched in the social media world, there's a good chance you've heard of Truth Social before. This is the social media platform funded by former President Donald Trump and touted as an "open, free, and honest" alternative to the likes of Twitter and Facebook. Murmurings of a Trump-backed social media platform began circulating shortly after the former President was banned from most major social media apps in January 2021. As of February 2022, Truth Social is now available for iPhone and has an Android version 'coming soon.'
If someone's interested in joining Truth Social, they can head to the App Store on their iPhone, search for 'Truth Social,' and download the Truth Social app from developer 'T Media Tech LLC.' Upon opening the app, tap 'Create Account,' enter your birth date, tap 'Next,' enter your email address, and tap the 'Next' button again. At this point, Truth Social will send an email verification to ensure the email address you entered is valid. Open your email app, open the email from Truth Social, and tap 'Confirm email address.' Users are then prompted to create a password. Enter one that meets the requirements, tap 'Next,' enter a username for the app, tap the toggle to agree to Truth's terms of service, and tap 'Finish.'
At the time of publication, that's as far as users can get. Truth Social is currently placing users on a waitlist "due to massive demand." You can tap the refresh icon next to the waitlist number to see your updated place in line. Additionally, Truth Social says it'll send a push notification once your account is actually ready to use. Once someone does gain access to Truth Social, they'll be presented with an app that looks almost identical to Twitter. The 'Feed' page is a timeline of posts from other users. Users can reply to posts, like/heart them, and re-share posts with their own followers. Posts on Truth Social are called 'Truths' instead of Tweets, and re-shares are called 'ReTruths' instead of Retweets. Truth Social also borrows from Twitter with a nearly identical app design, direct messaging, and the ability to follow/unfollow users.
While Truth Social says it's a "social media platform that is free from political discrimination," it's pretty apparent that it's geared heavily towards fans/followers of the former President. Trump's support and promotion of Truth Social is bound to give it an edge over similar sites like Parler and MeWe, but whether or not it can legitimately compete with Facebook, Twitter, and other major players remains to be seen.
Source: Truth Social
