Content Editor
July 07, 2023

Introducing Threads, a new application that was revealed on Wednesday as a companion to Instagram, the widely-used photo-sharing platform acquired by Meta over ten years ago. Instagram executives have ambitious plans for Threads, aiming to replace its competitor, Twitter, leading some tech enthusiasts to dub it a potential "Twitter killer."

The release of Threads intensifies the rivalry between Meta's CEO, Mr. Zuckerberg, and Elon Musk, who purchased Twitter last year. Mr. Musk has made significant changes to Twitter, altering its algorithm and implementing temporary restrictions on the number of tweets users can read, which sparked outrage among the community.

Numerous technology companies have attempted to capitalize on the instability of Twitter in recent months. However, Threads holds a distinct advantage due to Meta's substantial resources and Instagram's vast user base of over two billion active monthly users worldwide.

In a post shared on his Threads account on Wednesday, Mr. Zuckerberg expressed his belief in the need for a public conversation platform with over one billion users, stating that Twitter had the opportunity but failed to achieve it successfully. He later announced that Threads had amassed ten million sign-ups within seven hours of its launch.

Musk, on the other hand, voiced his lack of enthusiasm for Threads and claimed to have deleted his Instagram account, emphasizing that he preferred being targeted by strangers on Twitter rather than engaging in the deceptive happiness of Instagram's curated content.

Now, let's delve into the key details about Threads.

5 Things You Need to Know About Threads

How Threads Works

Image from Peta Pixel

Threads, developed by Instagram, is positioned as an application that facilitates real-time and public conversations among individuals. This app also serves as a means to enhance the prominence of Instagram, which is a flagship product within Meta's portfolio.

Threads has been intricately linked to Instagram, as individuals interested in joining the app must currently possess an Instagram account. Additionally, a user's Threads username must correspond to their Instagram handle.

Furthermore, users have the option to directly import their Instagram followers' list to Threads if they desire. Verified users on Instagram will also retain their verification status on this new app. Users can customize their Threads account settings to be either private or public.

Join Threads with Instagram

Starting with Threads is a breeze: simply utilize your Instagram account to log in. Your Instagram username and verification will seamlessly transfer, allowing you the flexibility to personalize your profile specifically for Threads.

For individuals under the age of 16 (or under 18 in select countries), joining Threads automatically sets their profile to private by default. You have the option to follow the same accounts you currently follow on Instagram and discover new like-minded individuals who share similar interests. Threads also incorporates essential accessibility features available on Instagram, including support for screen readers and AI-generated image descriptions.

Your Threads feed consists of posts from the people you follow, as well as recommended content from new creators you haven't yet come across. Posts can contain up to 500 characters and can include links, photos, and videos up to 5 minutes in duration. Sharing a Threads post to your Instagram story or distributing your post as a link on other platforms is effortlessly achievable.

Image from NBC News

Using Threads

Threads functions similarly to Twitter, with a pencil icon located at the bottom of the screen. Tapping on this icon opens a blank post where you can include text (limited to 500 characters), images, links, GIFs, or videos (up to 5 minutes in duration).

Similar to Instagram, you can interact with Threads posts by liking, replying, reposting, or sending them. Moreover, you have the option to apply filters to hide specific words in replies to your posts, as well as perform actions like unfollowing, blocking, restricting, and reporting profiles.

Currently, Threads is exclusively available as a mobile app, and it is uncertain if Meta plans to release a desktop version. However, there is a website, threads.net, designed to enhance Threads' compatibility with other applications such as Mastodon and WordPress.

In contrast to a chronological feed, which is a commonly requested feature on various platforms, Threads does not provide a dedicated feed solely for accounts you follow. Instead, it presents a unified feed that combines posts from both followed and unfollowed accounts. Adam Mosseri, the head of Instagram, has mentioned that this particular feature is on their agenda.

Will Hashtags Exist in Threads?

Unlike Twitter, Instagram, and other platforms, Threads does not seem to have support for hashtags. When searching for a hashtag, such as #DropEverythingNow, the results will display accounts associated with that particular word instead.

In addition, hashtags are not clickable in Threads' posts. It remains uncertain whether Threads will incorporate hashtag functionality in the future.

Furthermore, Threads lacks a trending section similar to Twitter, and it does not allow for specific content searches. Although there is a search feature, it will only display accounts that match the word or words you search for.

Image from MuyComputer

Twitter VS Threads: The Similarities and Differences

Threads looks nearly identical to Twitter in many ways. Users can post mostly text-based messages to a scrolling feed, where people who follow them and whom they follow can reply. People can also post photos or video to the app.

But Threads is also different from Twitter. It does not currently support direct messaging, a feature that Twitter offers. Instagram said it may add features to Threads if new users ask for them.

Threads, Will It "Kill" Twitter?

The introduction of Threads as a companion app to Instagram has sparked intense competition with Twitter, positioning it as a potential rival. With Meta's extensive resources and Instagram's massive user base, Threads has a significant advantage in capitalizing on the turbulence faced by Twitter in recent months.

The clash between Meta's CEO, Mr. Zuckerberg, and Elon Musk, the owner of Twitter, has added fuel to the rivalry. While Mr. Musk has made notable changes to Twitter, his lack of enthusiasm for Threads and preference for Twitter's open conversations has become evident.

Threads offers a seamless integration with Instagram, requiring users to have an existing Instagram account and enabling the import of followers' lists. Users can choose between private and public profiles and enjoy accessibility features such as screen reader support and AI-generated image descriptions.

Image from Forbes

The convenience of using Threads is emphasized by its straightforward login process through an Instagram account, allowing for a seamless transition. Users can engage in real-time conversations, follow familiar accounts, and explore new content creators within their Threads feed. The app accommodates various forms of media, including text-based posts, photos, and videos, which can be easily shared on other platforms.

While Threads shares similarities with Twitter in terms of post formats, it currently lacks direct messaging capabilities. However, Instagram remains open to adding new features based on user feedback.

With its launch generating substantial sign-ups and promising potential, Threads has emerged as a noteworthy player in the realm of public conversation platforms, making it an intriguing app to watch in the coming months.