Wattpad activity spikes during coronavirus lockdown

Story-sharing site Wattpad says it has seen a spike in sign-ups during the Covid-19 crisis, with more people using the service to write.

The Canada-based company said existing users who were previously readers were now turning to writing as a way to express themselves during the global lockdowns.

Global sign-ups were up by more than 50% in April compared to March while the number of new stories this year has grown by 151% with new writers increasing 125%. The company said writer activity had tripled over the same period.

Meanwhile, reading time on the site, which has 80 million monthly users, increased by almost 30% from early March to late April.

Aron Levitz, head of Wattpad Studios, said: “During this unprecedented time, we’ve seen catharsis through creativity as people around the world turn to Wattpad to share their stories and find community. Our vision at Wattpad is to entertain and connect the world through stories. The recent growth we’ve seen is a validation and acceleration of that vision, which has guided us since our earliest days. We’re proud to have created a safe space, where people can find solace, community, and joy in this challenging time.”