Meta, the parent company of Instagram, has introduced a new app called Threads. This text-based conversation app aims to provide an alternative to Twitter and allows users to sign in using their Instagram credentials, keeping their usernames, followers, and verification status intact.
Here at Make The Turn, a full-service digital marketing firm, we understand the ever-changing landscape of social media platforms and emerging trends. Our team is dedicated to staying ahead of the curve and ensuring that your company thrives in this dynamic environment. We are committed to helping you navigate new platforms and technologies, including the latest additions like Meta’s Threads.
Threads has been in development since January and come at a time when Twitter is implementing restrictions on the number of tweets users can read in a day, as announced by Elon Musk. In light of these changes on Twitter, some social media users may be seeking alternatives like Mastodon or Bluesky. Threads offers the option to post text, videos, and photos and engage in real-time conversations. Read on to discover how to join the app and explore its features.
What is Threads by Meta?
Developed by Meta’s Instagram team, Threads is a platform that allows users to share short posts or updates of up to 500 characters. It supports the inclusion of links, photos, and videos up to 5 minutes in length. The app is directly connected to users’ Instagram accounts, and Meta emphasizes the ease of sharing Threads posts to Instagram Stories or as links on other platforms of choice.
The app’s feed displays posts from people and accounts followed on Instagram or Threads, along with recommendations for undiscovered content. Users have the ability to filter specific words from their feed and control who can mention them.
Threads is free to download from both the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store.
How to use Threads
Users need an existing Instagram account to join Threads, as the platform requires Instagram login credentials. Once the account is set up, the Instagram username is carried over, but users can create a customizable profile. It’s worth noting that UK users under the age of 18 will receive a default private profile.
Users can easily follow the same accounts they already follow on Instagram with just a few clicks, allowing them to migrate their following seamlessly. When creating a post or “Thread,” users can choose who can view it, whether it’s the entire world or just their followers.
Threads offers features familiar to Twitter and Instagram users, such as unfollowing, reporting, blocking, or restricting a profile. These options can be accessed through the three-dot drop-down menu. Any users blocked on Instagram will automatically be blocked on Threads. Additional features include screen reader support and AI-generated image descriptions.
Meta is working to make Threads compatible with other apps supporting the ActivityPub protocol, such as WordPress and Mastodon. The company’s long-term goal is to make Threads posts accessible to anyone with a compatible app, regardless of whether they have a Threads account.
Meta’s Threads vs. Twitter
The rivalry between these two tech giants extends beyond the proposed clash between Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg. With Threads closely integrated with Instagram, it has the potential to attract users rapidly. While Musk has implemented posting limits on Twitter, this move could lead to the loss of subscribers and advertisers.
However, Threads has faced criticism as well. Forrester analyst Mike Proulx suggests that Meta is capitalizing on the current dissatisfaction with Twitter but failed to successfully launch and sustain Threads in the past. Proulx mentioned previous unsuccessful standalone apps from Meta, such as Slingshot and IGTV.
Proulx also noted the presence of multiple Twitter alternatives, including Bluesky, Mastodon, and Hive. This influx of alternatives could further divide the user base seeking a replacement for Twitter.
The launch of Threads in the European Union has reportedly been delayed due to concerns surrounding data sharing between the two apps.
As new platforms like Threads emerge, we recognize the importance of staying up to date with the latest developments. We continuously monitor industry trends, conduct research, and adapt our strategies to ensure that our clients are at the forefront of digital marketing innovation. We aim to help your company make the most of these opportunities and maximize its online impact.
