Meta just entered the race

Lately we've seen the rise of many Twitter competitors, each attempting to capture the attention of people seeking a new text-based social network. Mastodon, Bluesky, Spill, and T2 are just a few of the platforms that are gaining traction. Now, Meta, has entered the race with the debut of Threads, a new app roughly comparable to the Instagram experience. We're going to take a look at what Threads is and if it has a chance of humbling the old giant Twitter.

What is Threads and How Does it Work?

Threads is Meta's text-based Twitter competitor, meant to allow users to have real-time, public conversations. The app's goal is to provide a welcoming environment for communities to interact. Threads, which was created by Instagram, additionally serves as an opportunity to increase interaction on the network because it needs users to have an existing Instagram account. In actuality, users must log in with their Instagram credentials, and their Instagram handle is converted into their Threads username.

Getting Started with Threads

Threads is available on both iOS and Android devices in over 100 countries. However, due to privacy concerns, the app is not currently available in the European Union. To sign up for Threads, users must log in using their Instagram credentials.

Impressively, Threads reached 100 million users within a mere five days of launch. It's worth mentioning that this growth occurred despite the app not being available in the EU at the time due to privacy concerns.

A Closer Look At Threads' Features

Users can submit up to 500 characters in length and supports a variety of media formats such as photos, videos, and GIFs. A Thread post can contain up to ten media assets, allowing users to share their experiences visually and textually. While the platform is currently limited to mobile applications, Thread postings and profiles can be viewed on the web via a supplied link. Users, however, are unable to log in to their Threads accounts or create new posts via the web interface.

Managing Your Threads Account

Meta's "Supplemental Privacy Policy" currently states that deleting the Threads account is only possible by deleting the associated Instagram account. However, in response to user feedback, Adam Mosseri, head of Instagram, mentioned that the company is looking into implementing a way to delete Threads accounts separately.

Threads' Interface and Functionality

Unlike Twitter, Threads does not feature a dedicated "Following" timeline that exclusively displays posts from accounts a user follows. Instead, the home timeline on Threads is algorithmic, presenting a mix of posts from both followed accounts and other users. Instagram head Adam Mosseri explained that while the platform lightly ranks posts and shows recommendations from accounts users don't follow, this approach is particularly important for a new app to provide a diverse feed before users have followed enough accounts.

Messaging on Threads

Contrary to Twitter's direct messaging functionality, Threads does not allow users to send messages to each other within the app. Instead, the goal is for users to share threads with other apps rather than building another messaging inbox within Threads itself. This approach encourages users to engage in broader conversations and interactions beyond the boundaries of a single app. It's worth noting that this can change anytime now with future updates coming soon.

Missing Features and Future Updates

As a new app, Threads still has some features missing that are present in its competitors. Currently, Threads lacks a "Following" feed, GIF support, a full web version, post editing capabilities, inline translation, user-generated Alt image text, hashtags, and the ability to view one's own liked posts. However, it's important to note that as Threads continues to evolve, these features may be added in future updates, enhancing the user experience and expanding functionality.

Data Collection and Privacy

Given that Threads requires users to log in using their Instagram account, some concerns have been raised regarding data collection practices. Meta's deputy chief privacy officer, Rob Sherman, clarified that the app's privacy labels on the App Store are similar to those of other Meta apps, including Instagram. The app receives whatever information the user shares within the app, aligning with the categories of data listed in the App Store. While privacy labels may raise questions, it's important to understand that the data collection practices are consistent with Meta's existing apps.

So? Is it worth it?

Meta's entry into the text-based social networking sector, Threads on Instagram, provides users with a venue for real-time, public dialogues. While Threads competes with Twitter, it distinguishes itself through its close connection with Instagram, the absence of paid tiers and adverts, and the usage of users' existing Instagram network. Threads, although being a relatively new software, has experienced rapid development, gaining millions of sign-ups within hours of its launch. Users can expect further features and updates to further enhance their Threads experience as the app evolves.