Can Parler really compete with Twitter and Facebook?

The Parler app topped US download charts in the App Store and Google Play Store. — AFP

The alternative social network Parler is on the up right now, but how long can its success last? After winning over millions of people frustrated with Twitter and Facebook, is the controversial platform's popularity destined to fizzle out? Certain experts shared their thoughts and analysis with ABC News, predicting its inevitable demise. However, Parler could still change the behaviour of Internet users.

Could the success of Parler be short-lived? The "free speech" social network has been very much in the spotlight since the US presidential election in early November. Faced with the various steps taken by giants Facebook and Twitter to fight misinformation and fake news, many disgruntled web users turned instead to this alternative platform. Billed as the "free speech" social network, Parler rose to become the App Store's most-downloaded free application in the United States. The platform's co-founder John Matze, claims it has almost 10 million registered users to date, compared to 4.5 million prior to the US presidential election.