Former #BlackTwitter Employees’ New App Spill Tops Apple Charts with 100,000 Users

Over the weekend, a new Black-owned social media platform, Spill, saw a surge in popularity as Twitter introduced changes limiting the number of tweets users could view and causing disruptions in site access.

Spill, describing itself as a platform for "visual conversation at the speed of culture" on its website, was co-founded by former Twitter employees Alphonzo Terrell and DeVaris Brown. The platform was launched in the App Store in June.

On Tuesday, the app was ranked as the third most downloaded on Apple’s App Store and claimed the top spot at different points over the weekend.

Spill was designed with diverse communities in mind, Terrell told AfroTech.

"Our thesis was that if we could build a platform from the ground up catering to these culture drivers and solve the core problems our community is facing, it would create a better experience for everyone," Terrell said.

The app presents a more visual approach to content sharing, according to Terrell's comments to the Wall Street Journal.

“I think people are very excited and open to new spaces,” he said. The platform's name derives from the term “spill the tea,” a phrase associated with gossip. Users have embraced the nickname “Spillionaires” for themselves. A teacup icon is used to like posts.

Over the weekend, the company reported that more than 100,000 people joined the platform, including celebrities such as Amber Riley, Sinquea Walls, and Antoinette Robertson.

The Wall Street Journal reported that the app is currently invite-only during its testing phase, but interested users can join the waitlist for access. As reviews for the app rolled in on the Apple's App Store, one user expressed, "I really hope this platform takes off and becomes the new hub for Black content. The possibilities are really endless. Rooting for the Spill team!!"