Instagram’s much-hyped app, Threads, landed as a Twitter Killer App on July 6, 2023. And it looks a lot like Twitter, which is precisely the point.
Many social media users are looking for alternatives to Twitter or are desperate for a solid replacement. As we know, the app is going through a challenging phase of gradual product degeneration under Elon Musk. That is when Meta, Facebook’s parent company, decided to strike while the iron was hot. They introduced the Threads app, where people can connect, follow, share, and talk about things that matter. It is a separate space for public conversations and real-time updates.
So, are you interested in threading away your thoughts? Check out all the things that you should know about it. Let’s start from the beginning and understand the app in detail.
What is Meta Thread’s App? And How Does It Work?
Meta introduced Threads, a public conversation app where you can share short posts or updates limited to 500 characters. It lets you include links, photos, or videos up to 5 minutes long. Moreover, you can easily share your Threads posts to your Instagram story because the app is connected to Instagram.
When you use Threads, your feed will show posts from people and accounts you follow on Instagram or Threads. It will also suggest undiscovered content for you to explore. Additionally, you can filter out specific words from your feed and control who can mention you. Furthermore, you can download this standalone app on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
Additionally, Meta has plans to include support for the open ActivityPub protocol in the near future. The Search Engine Journal says that 55 million people have signed up to use threads, which could serve as a central hub for conversations across different applications.
However, Threads has some additional baggage that comes along with it. These concerns include privacy practices that may be questionable, algorithms that are not transparent, and the monopoly power held by Big Tech companies. These same issues have led many people to lose interest in other social networks owned by Zuckerberg, such as Facebook. Unfortunately, these problems persist in Threads as well. For instance, when you log in to Threads, it displays recommended posts from accounts and brands you may not follow or want to see.
What Does Decentralization Mean For Threads?
Threads is Meta’s first app that aims to promote “decentralization.” This means that users should be able to transfer their social media content and connect with other users across various apps that adhere to the same standards.
Mastodon is a popular social network that operates on a decentralized model. Supporters of this model argue that it can create a better internet that a single social media company does not dominate. Threads also plan to adopt a decentralized approach.
However, Threads still needs to achieve this goal. According to a new update, Threads will soon be compatible with the Activity Pub protocol. The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), which developed this protocol, establishes guidelines for how independent social networks should function.
The vision is that one day you can view your Threads posts on other apps like Mastodon or WordPress, and vice versa. Users will be able to comment on posts across these different apps. Furthermore, if you decide to stop using Threads, you should be able to transfer all your content to your old Instagram account.
Decentralization is currently a trendy concept in the tech world and may attract a digitally savvy audience to Threads. However, most users need to become more familiar with decentralization and only care a little about it. What truly matters is how many people download the app and have a positive experience using it. That brings us to our next point.
What Are The Regulatory Concerns And Other Hurdles Meta Has To Overcome?
Meta is facing significant challenges in launching its app globally. According to Bloomberg, one major obstacle is the uncertainty surrounding regulatory issues, especially in the EU, due to the new Digital Markets Act. This act restricts the actions of significant companies known as “gatekeepers.”
In terms of safety, Instagram assures users that they will have access to the same tools as on Instagram. These tools allow users to control who can mention or reply to them, filter out offensive words in replies, and manage their followers by unfollowing, blocking, or restricting accounts.
However, addressing the concerns raised by the EU requires more than just privacy and safety features. Instagram needs to rebuild trust in its parent company, which has been scrutinized since the Cambridge Analytica scandal in 2018, regarding how it handles user data.
Furthermore, Threads must also prove their relevance and gain the trust of a substantial number of users. Twitter’s appeal lies in its ability to bring together influential figures, witty writers, celebrities, and everyday users to discuss current events. For Threads to have the same impact, it needs to attract these influential individuals who can create engaging 500-character posts and spark conversations. Let’s talk about some of the key differences between Twitter and Threads.
What Is The Difference Between Threads And Twitter?
Here are a few differences you can see in both apps. Let’s look at them:
- The primary purpose of Instagram is to share photos and videos, while the Threads account is more about having real-time conversations and discussions.
- Threads is closely connected to Instagram. You can share text updates, participate in public conversations on Threads, and use your Instagram account to log in.
- Unlike Instagram, which is all about visual content, i.e., a photo-sharing app, Threads mainly focuses on text-based conversations. Most of the posts that new users on Threads see are text-based.
- Unlike Twitter, which introduced data scraping, Threads does not have such a policy, making it a more popular app among Twitter users.
In summary, Threads is a simpler and more focused app than Instagram. It puts more emphasis on text-based conversations and discussions.
Do Threads Have A Chance To Shoot Down Twitter?
Threads is a new platform that hopes to become the preferred app for live public conversations, aiming to surpass Twitter. Threads have the best chance of succeeding compared to other recent platforms.
After Elon Musk took control of Twitter towards the end of last year, many users expressed a desire for an alternative. Technical issues and frequent policy changes have prompted several notable Twitter users to leave the platform.
Meta, the parent company of Instagram, has an advantage over Twitter regarding its existing user base. With over 2 billion active Instagram users worldwide, Meta hopes to attract at least some of them to the new Threads app. In contrast, Twitter has approximately 250 million active users.
Meta’s existing scale and infrastructure give it an advantage. Unlike other Twitter rivals that have recently launched and required users to join waitlists or get invitations, Threads makes it incredibly easy for users to get started.
However, Meta must address issues like spam, harassment, conspiracy theories, and false claims on Threads. These problems have made many users lose interest in Twitter.
Beyond the Hype: What Meta Is Really Getting Into
Meta may use Threads to keep its current users engaged for extended periods. While there are currently no advertisements on Threads, it could help Meta’s advertising business. Meta’s advertising business has been having trouble because the market for online ads has been going down and Apple has changed how apps handle privacy.
However, based on Twitter’s experience, Threads may attract fewer advertising dollars than Meta’s other platforms. Thus, the real draw here is who wins the battle of social networks – Threads or Twitter. Will Threads change the way we connect and beat Twitter, the current champion? Stay tuned as we unravel this thrilling story and witness the evolution of online connections. Keep threading and get ready for a captivating ride in the world of social networks!
