User retention is difficult because if the blatant unequal distribution of rewards and the blockchain police. Get one warning about your post and you're gone. Facebook doesn't tell people that one words posts are wrong, or sharing a meme. Also when someone writes a simple post they get a lot of hive while newcommers get almost nothing. While some authors deserve their rewards I find hive rubs it in one's face. Perhaps the automated voting and rewards curve need adaption.
There is also the 13 week powerdown. That's ridiculous, I can sell a stock immediately and at most wait 2 days for settlement. Forgetting ones keys? That too is extremely problematic, there is poor customer service, 9ne has to download multiple apps to use hive and the learning curve is steep.