In the last couple of weeks, we’ve been seeing a lot about Meta’s newest social media platform, Threads.
So, we’ve taken it upon ourselves to investigate the biggest competitor to Twitter since sliced bread.
Here’s what we found out:
Threads: What We Know.
What is Threads?
If you ask Mark Zuckerberg, he would say Meta’s new app, Threads is:
“...An open and friendly public space for conversation. Our vision is to take the best parts of Instagram and create a new experience for text, ideas, and discussing what's on your mind…”
But for those of us that don’t speak PR jargon, we say Threads is a new app built by Instagram to join public conversations and share text updates.
Threads allows users to post messages (in 500 words or less), share video updates (up to two minutes), post photos, reply to other users, and like, repost, comment, and report on posts from other users.
Sound familiar? That’s because it is.
Why was Threads launched?
Essentially, Threads was launched to offer users an alternative platform to Twitter.
Amid the growing frustration of users since Elon Musk bought Twitter for USD 44 billion, Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg has taken the opportunity to launch a platform to rival Twitter.
It is understood that Mark Zuckerberg will take advantage of Elon Musk’s controversial ownership of Twitter, and hopes to make Meta’s new app the go-to channel for celebrities, companies, politicians, and of course, Instagram users.
Features: Threads Vs Twitter
When comparing the two platforms against each other, they have a lot in common. In fact, the interface looks very similar.
So far, you cannot advertise on Threads. But, considering you can advertise on all of Meta’s other platforms, we don’t think it will be long until there will be ads on Threads too.
It’s important to remember that this is only the first iteration of Threads, and as more and more people engage with the app, the more the app will be adapted to its users.
But as of yet, there are a few differences between Threads and Twitter.
Let’s compare the two platforms.
| Features | Threads | |
|---|---|---|
| Post length | 500 words | 280 words (non-verified account) 600 words (Twitter Blue* verified account) |
| Videos | 5 mins | 2 mins 20 sec (non-verified account) 2 hrs (Twitter Blue verified account) |
| Hashtags |  |  |
| Direct messaging | | |
| Trending stories | | |
| Desktop version | | |
| Edit | | (Twitter Blue verified accounts only) |
| Links | | |
| Photos | | |
*Note Twitter Blue is Twitter’s paid subscription.
What happens when you download Threads?
While it’s only the first iteration of Threads, the platform had 100 million users sign up in less than five days.
Currently, to sign up for Threads, you will need an Instagram account to link your profile to the Threads platform. Once you’ve signed up to Threads via Instagram, your Threads profile will appear in your Instagram bio.
There is an option to hide this feature but, once you remove your Threads Badge, you cannot re-add it to your profile.
Also, while it is possible to deactivate your Threads profile without deactivating your Instagram account, it is not currently possible to delete your Threads profile without deleting your associated Instagram account.
The service also lets users of Meta-owned Instagram accounts follow the same accounts on Threads, which could help people add followers. Plus, any accounts you’ve blocked on Instagram will be blocked on Threads automatically.
As an added feature, users who are under 16 years (or under 18 in certain countries) will have their profiles defaulted to private when they sign up to Threads.
What does the future of Threads look like?
We don’t have a crystal ball and can’t predict the future, but we can speculate what the future of Threads might look like.
Due to the current search functionality (or lack thereof) on Threads, Meta has said that it will add a “more robust search function” and a better filtering selection for recommended posts.
We think that Threads will also become more compatible with other Meta platforms and available on desktop. We also think that a few of the missing features in the table above will become available.
But the possibilities are endless, especially when considering the hold that Meta’s other platforms have on the digital world.
Has CoBright downloaded Threads?
We haven’t yet. But that doesn’t mean we won’t.
We might wait for a few more platform updates before we jump in head first. Especially considering that, as of yet, Threads is not available in the EU.
This is due to the EU Digital Markets Act’s concern that Threads’ data privacy operation does not comply with their standards. While this isn’t the case in Australia and we can download it here, but we may just hold our breath for a while.
And while we wait for Zuckerberg and Musk to hash out their differences through memes, UFC fights, and lawyers, we’ll be keeping an eye out to see what the future of Threads will look like.
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