Twitter stock has been given a 15% boost as the company reports a positive growth in revenue and monetisable daily active users (mDAU) for its Q1 earnings.
The report, which frequently referenced Twitter’s efforts to create a safer, healthier platform, showed its total revenue for the first quarter was $787 million, an 18% increase year-on-year.
Advertising made up $679 million of total revenue, a 20% increase year on year, while data licensing and other revenue made up $107 million, up 20% year-on-year.
Twitter doesn’t break down the Australian figures, but did reveal how significant the US market is to the company. $363 million of all ad revenue came from the US alone, up 26% year on year, while $317 million came from the international market, up 10% year-on-year.
Last quarter, which saw a slight dip of five million in monthly active users from the previous quarter, Twitter told shareholders it would cease to disclose monthly active users after the Q1 2019 report and instead focus on mDAU.
This quarter it reported a six million year on year decline for monthly active users, now at 330 million, with 68 million being in the US.
However, monetisable daily active users, which Twitter defines as users who log into Twitter and can see ads, were up 11% year on year, sitting at 134 million. 105 million of this comes from the international market.
In the company’s letter to shareholders, it stressed its “proactive approach” to making Twitter a safer platform, as social media platforms face sustained scrutiny for harmful content on their sites.
“We are taking a more proactive approach to reducing abuse on Twitter and its effects in 2019, with the goal of reducing the burden on victims of abuse and, where possible, taking action before abuse is reported,” Twitter said.
Twitter co-founder and CEO Jack Dorsey also met with US President Donald Trump after the earnings report was released to discuss the health of public discourse. The meeting came following tweets from Trump complaing Twitter doesn’t “treat him well”.
“The best thing ever to happen to Twitter is Donald Trump.” @MariaBartiromo So true, but they don’t treat me well as a Republican. Very discriminatory, hard for people to sign on. Constantly taking people off list. Big complaints from many people. Different names-over 100 M.....
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 23, 2019
Great meeting this afternoon at the @WhiteHouse with @Jack from @Twitter. Lots of subjects discussed regarding their platform, and the world of social media in general. Look forward to keeping an open dialogue! pic.twitter.com/QnZi579eFb
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 23, 2019
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