In the ever-evolving world of social media, new platforms constantly emerge, aiming to capture the attention of users and revolutionise the way we connect and communicate. One such app is Threads, developed by Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, that was released on 6th July.
Meta describe threads as “a place where communities come together to discuss everything from the topics you care about today to what’ll be trending tomorrow.”
Let’s delve into what Threads is all about and what you need to know.
Features and Functionality
Threads brings together the best of both worlds from Twitter and Instagram, offering a feed of largely text-based posts, accompanied by the ability to share photos and videos. With a 500-character limit, users can express their thoughts concisely, engaging in conversations with others. Similar to Twitter, you can reply to, repost, and quote other users’ Thread posts, encouraging interactive and dynamic discussions. Additionally, Threads seamlessly integrates with Instagram, allowing users to share their posts directly to Instagram Stories too.
Sign Up and Account Management
To sign up for Threads, all you need is an Instagram account. You can use the same username, password, and account name, while also having the option to customise your bio specifically for Threads. To make things even easier you can import the list of accounts you follow from Instagram to get started and connect with familiar faces on the app, all that the tap of a button!
Availability and User Base
Threads is available in 100 countries and supports more than 30 languages on both Apple’s iOS and Android platforms. This wide availability demonstrates Meta’s ambition to attract a massive user base by leveraging the existing reach of Instagram, which boasts over 2 billion active users globally.
Pros:
- Seamless integration with Instagram: Threads allows for easy sharing of posts directly to Instagram Stories, leveraging the existing user base and familiarity with Instagram.
- Real-time conversations: With a feed of text-based posts and the ability to reply, repost, and quote, Threads facilitates dynamic and interactive conversations.
- Rich media sharing: Users can share photos and videos up to 5 minutes in length, enhancing the content diversity and engagement on the platform.
- Easy sign-up process: By utilising an existing Instagram account, users can quickly join Threads and connect with their Instagram network effortlessly.
Cons:
- Account deletion tied to Instagram: Deleting your Threads profile requires deleting your entire Instagram account, which may be inconvenient for users who want to leave Threads while keeping their Instagram presence.
- Data privacy concerns: Like Instagram, Threads collects various types of user data, raising privacy concerns for some users.
- Limited Post Search Functionality: Although you can search for user profiles, Threads lacks the ability to search for specific posts or topics.
- No Scheduled Post Functionality: Unlike some other social media platforms, Threads does not offer the ability to schedule posts in advance. Users must manually publish their content in real time.
The Road Ahead
As Threads continues to evolve and gain momentum, it will be interesting to see how it fares in the highly competitive world of social media. With its combination of real-time conversations, Instagram’s aesthetic appeal, and a large existing user base, Threads has the potential to disrupt the social media landscape. However, Meta must navigate the challenges of content moderation and user engagement to ensure its long-term success.
Whether Threads becomes the ultimate “Twitter killer” remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the constant innovation and competition in the realm of social media benefit users by providing more choices and avenues for meaningful conversations and connections.
For now, we would say that businesses should keep an eye on the platform and assess the pros and cons before jumping in, because once you’ve signed up there’s no going back (unless you’re happy for your Instagram to be deleted of course).
