07/06/2023
Instagram’s Threads: What to Know and How it Works
By now, you may have heard of Threads. The new, text-based social networking app owned by Meta Platforms that everyone is talking about. It was just released to the public yesterday, July 5th, in 100 countries with over 30 million registered accounts as of today. Clearly, it’s taking the digital world by storm, and we’re here to talk about it.
Many are considering it “Twitter’s replacement,” and internet users are quick to claim Twitter is in danger. Ironically, “Threads” has been the top trending topic on Twitter’s trending page. So let’s get to the rundown of how Threads works and how it differs from the all too prominent Twitter.
Threads is available on desktop and through iOS and Android app stores. Connected to your Instagram account, Threads can sync your Instagram account information, allowing you to transfer all of your profile information and your following list upon account registration.
Like Twitter, you can post text, include links, add pictures to your post, like, reply, and repost content to your page. But the question leads to, what makes Threads different from Twitter?
Exclusively to Threads, you can include posts to your Instagram Story, Instagram Feed for posts with pictures, and your Twitter account within the Threads app. Each “thread” has a 500-character limit and allows for 5-minute long videos as opposed to the 280-character limit for Tweets and the 2-minute and 20-second video limit for those without the blue badge. More notably, you can establish an in-app timer through its “take a break” feature, which alerts you after 10, 20, or 30 minutes of app usage.
One interesting difference we’ve seen is the inability to natively send messages. While some users disapprove, others make the point that this limits directed hate speech, online bullying, and “inbox fatigue.” Other differences include no hashtags, no trending page, and no payment options for in-app perks. Unlike Twitter, you can’t view others’ likes and the app has yet to introduce advertisements. Zuckerberg says they are focused on user experience for now and will consider advertisement when and if they reach 1 billion users.
With Twitter’s ever-changing landscape and the recent wave of mishaps, Threads is decentralized and self-described to be a more positive, open space for users with stricter guidelines to prevent hate speech, misinformation, and extremism.
Meta says in its new blog post that people’s individual feeds will include “threads” that were posted by other users that they follow, in addition to recommended content shared from creators whom users may not know based on your activity. This contrasts with Twitter’s algorithm which heavily relies on content that receives the highest engagements.
What are your thoughts about Threads? Let us know, and if you sign up, give us a follow!
Mark Zuckerberg’s Twitter rival is here.