Threads: The What, The Why, and How

The recent competition between Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg, two high-profile technology billionaires, took an interesting turn as Mark introduced a new “Twitter Killer” app called Threads. It’s a platform for text-based content and was presented as a better alternative for Twitter. Within 15 hours, Threads had over 30 million signups, indicating strong initial interest. In less than a week, the app has reached over 100 million users.

Let’s see what we know about the app so far.

What are Threads on Instagram?

Threads is developed by the social media titan, Meta, formerly known as Facebook. The app allows Instagram users to connect more privately with their closest friends and family. So far, it has received mixed reviews, with some praising its simplicity and focus on close relationships, while others criticize it for being too similar to Twitter and lacking popular Instagram features.

Threads is an extension of Instagram, combining photo and video sharing with text-based content. It creates a space for real-time updates and public conversations, providing an exciting platform for both content creators and casual users. Many famous creators have already gathered a significant following on the app by building closer relationships with their audience.

How Do You Access Instagram Threads?

Threads seamlessly integrates with your existing Instagram profile. Users simply log in using their Instagram credentials, with the option to personalize their profile specifically for Threads. For users under 16 (or 18 in certain countries), a private profile is the default setting, ensuring an added layer of safety.

But, here’s the catch: if you want to delete your Threads account, it will also delete your Instagram account. You can take a break from the app by deactivating your account from the settings.

Switching accounts between Threads and Instagram is not yet streamlined, but Meta is actively working on improving this process.

How Does it Work?

In Threads, your feed includes posts from accounts you follow and recommended content from new creators. It enables you to connect with a diverse community and engage in conversations around shared interests.

Each post can be up to 500 characters and supports links, photos, and videos up to 5 minutes long. You can also share posts to your Instagram story or on other platforms using Threads. Ironically, you can share your posts on Twitter too (well done, Mark).

One notable feature is that photos uploaded to Threads maintain their original quality, unlike Instagram, which compresses them. However, Threads currently lacks a direct messaging feature, which Meta plans to add in the future.

You have the option to hide offensive words on Threads, just as you can on Instagram. Additionally, you can set a time limit for your posts to disappear, control who can reply to your posts, and hide like counts.

There are currently no ads on Threads, but it is expected that Meta will add ads in the future, considering its high advertising revenue. Meanwhile, we can enjoy the ad-free experience on the app.

Threads enforces Instagram’s community guidelines and provides the ability to report violations, creating a safe and inclusive environment for all users.

What to Post on Threads?

Threads is all about sharing and engaging in discussions. It provides a space for expressive and creative content, encompassing a wide range of ideas. The platform encourages positive interactions and offers features to filter replies and control engagement. Safety is a priority, with adherence to Instagram’s Community Guidelines for content and interactions within the app.

The Future of Threads

Threads represents an ambitious vision for the future of social media. The team behind the app plans to make Threads compatible with ActivityPub, an open social networking protocol established by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). This implies that Threads will soon be interoperable with other apps supporting the ActivityPub protocol, such as Mastodon and WordPress. This compatibility will open doors to new types of connections that are currently impossible on most social apps.

The decentralization approach is similar to the protocols governing email and the web, giving users the freedom to choose platforms that align with their values. With this compatibility, users will eventually have the ability to transfer their content to another service if they decide to leave Threads, providing more control over their content and audience.

Threads is Meta’s initial step towards creating a more open and interconnected network by leveraging open social networking protocols. The team has plans to introduce additional features to enhance the user experience, including a more advanced search function and improved recommendations in the feed.

Conclusion

Threads has made a significant impact in the social media landscape, garnering millions of signups within a short span of time. It offers a special place for private connections and conversations.

Although there are areas that could be improved, the app reflects Meta’s dedication to innovation and creating a more connected network. With plans to enhance user experience and work with other platforms, Threads has the potential to shape the future of social networking.