In the past few months, the social media landscape has been buzzing with the rise of new and alternative platforms vying to replace Twitter as the go-to text-based social network. From Mastodon to Bluesky, Spill, and T2, users are exploring fresh options. Now, Meta has made a bold move into this space with the launch of Threads, a text-based app seamlessly integrated with Instagram.
What Exactly Is Threads and How Do You Get Started?
Threads is Meta’s direct answer to Twitter, offering a text-based platform that leverages your existing Instagram account for easy sign-up and seamless integration. Creating a Threads account is straightforward: simply log in using your Instagram credentials, and you’re set to go. This link to Instagram makes the onboarding process smooth, allowing you to bring over your username, profile information, and even your block list.
How Does Threads Differ from Twitter?
At first glance, Threads might seem like just another Twitter clone, but it comes with its own unique features. Notably, there are currently no paid tiers or ads cluttering your feed. If you’ve paid for Meta Verified on Instagram, your verification mark will carry over to Threads, giving you a seamless experience across both platforms. Threads also capitalizes on Instagram’s vast network, allowing you to easily connect with people you already follow.
However, Threads is still in its early stages and lacks some of the more robust features Twitter offers, such as long video uploads, direct messaging, and live audio rooms. This streamlined approach may appeal to users looking for a simpler, cleaner experience.
How Do You Use Threads?
Threads is available on both iOS and Android in over 100 countries. However, due to privacy concerns, the app was initially unavailable in the EU until December 2023. At that time, Meta launched a version in the region that allows users to browse the social network without creating an account. While this limits their ability to post or interact, it offers a unique way to explore the platform.
Once you log in with your Instagram account, you can immediately start following people you’re already connected with on Instagram. Your username, profile information, and other settings, like your block list, are automatically imported, making it easy to get started.
How Popular Is Threads?
As of August 2024, Threads boasts over 200 million users, a remarkable feat considering the app launched just 13 months prior. The app saw an explosive start, with over 10 million signups within hours of its release, and it passed the 30 million mark within 24 hours. Threads achieved a milestone of 100 million users in just five days, making it one of the fastest-growing social media platforms ever.
Meta’s CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, celebrated these numbers, noting that Threads attracted 2 million signups within the first two hours, 5 million in four hours, and 10 million within seven hours. By the next morning, the user base had swelled to over 30 million. This rapid growth is especially impressive given that the app had not yet launched in the EU due to privacy regulations.
What Are the Posting Limitations on Threads?
Threads allows users to post up to 500 characters in a single post. These posts can include a mix of images, videos, and GIFs, with support for up to 10 media items per post. However, in response to spam attacks, Threads introduced rate limits in mid-July 2024, restricting the number of posts users can view.
Can You Use Threads on the Web?
Yes, Threads can be accessed via the web at Threads.net, where you can both view posts and publish your own.
What Are the Latest Updates on Threads?
Threads has seen several updates since its launch, with the first major update focusing on bug fixes and minor feature enhancements. Some of the key improvements include:
- iOS 17 Compatibility: The update addresses crashes for users running the iOS 17 public beta.
- Search Enhancements: Double-tap on the search tab now initiates a search.
- Visual Tweaks: Facepile pill polish and better display for extra-tall photos.
- Bug Fixes: Issues like random images on the thread line have been resolved.
How Can You Delete Your Threads Account?
Deleting your Threads account isn’t as straightforward as you might expect. Until the end of 2023, users had to delete their Instagram account to remove their Threads account, according to Meta’s “Supplemental Privacy Policy.” Even after initiating a deletion request, Meta retains your data for 30 days, during which you can cancel the deletion if you change your mind.
Can You Send Direct Messages on Threads?
As of now, Threads doesn’t support direct messaging. Instagram head Adam Mosseri has stated that the goal is to avoid creating yet another inbox for users to manage. Instead, the focus is on allowing users to share threads through other apps.
Does Threads Offer an API?
Yes, Threads launched its public API in June 2024 after months of testing with select partners. The API allows developers to create tools that enable users to publish posts, retrieve their own posts, and gain insights into engagement. However, there are limitations; for instance, the API doesn’t yet allow developers to delete posts.
Will We See Third-Party Clients for Threads?
While Threads’ API is a step towards broader integration, it still has limitations. Developers currently cannot fetch timeline data, which means that creating alternative clients for Threads is not yet possible.
Is Threads Part of the Fediverse?
Partially. Earlier this year, Threads began experimenting with allowing users to share their posts to the fediverse, a decentralized network of social media platforms. With this feature, users can enable fediverse sharing, allowing people on other ActivityPub-compatible networks, like Mastodon, to follow them and view their posts. Additionally, Threads allows fediverse users to like posts. Meta also plans to enable post-sharing to the fediverse through the Threads API.
What Features Are Currently Missing from Threads?
While Threads offers a streamlined experience, several features are still in development or absent, including:
- Full Fediverse Integration
- Post Scheduling (coming soon)
- Direct Messaging
- Support for Lists
- Third-Party Client Integration
What About Threads’ Data Collection Practices?
Given that Threads is closely tied to Instagram, the app inherits similar data collection practices. Meta has stated that the data collected by Threads is consistent with what is collected by its other apps, including Instagram. This has raised some concerns among users, especially given the privacy labels listed in the App Store.
In response to these concerns, Meta’s deputy chief privacy officer, Rob Sherman, clarified that the privacy labels on Threads are similar to those on Instagram. “Our social apps receive whatever info (including the categories of data listed in the App Store) you share in the app,” Sherman explained in a Threads post.
In summary, Threads is a rapidly growing platform that offers a unique alternative to Twitter, with seamless integration into the Instagram ecosystem. While it’s still evolving, with some features yet to be introduced, its rapid adoption suggests that it could become a major player in the social media landscape.
