what is threads in instagram ?: Meta, the parent company of Facebook, officially launched its rival to Twitter, called Threads, on Wednesday. This comes just three months after the company confirmed its plans for the app.
Threads has already gained significant traction, with 30 million sign-ups as of Thursday morning. Among the users are numerous brands, celebrities, journalists, and other notable accounts.
The atmosphere surrounding Threads on Wednesday night resembled the excitement of the first day of school, as early adopters eagerly tried out the app and shared their initial posts. Some even speculated whether Threads could potentially dethrone Twitter as the dominant platform. By Thursday morning,
Threads trending topic on Twitter
Threads had become the top free app on Apple’s App Store and a trending topic on Twitter. Twitter may face a substantial challenge from Threads, especially considering the recent backlash it has received since Elon Musk assumed control of the platform in October 2022, leading to a somewhat haphazard management style. Twitter’s vulnerability has been further exposed in recent days, as users express frustration over temporary restrictions on daily content viewing. On the other hand, for Meta, Threads presents an opportunity to expand its portfolio of popular apps and create a new platform for advertising.Here’s what we currently know about Meta’s Threads:
What is Threads ?
Threads is a fresh application developed by the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. This platform bears resemblance to Twitter, featuring a feed predominantly filled with text-based posts. However, users also have the option to share photos and videos while engaging in real-time conversations.
Meta, the parent company, has imposed a 500-character limit for messages posted on Threads. Similar to Twitter, users can respond to, repost, and quote other users’ posts. The app incorporates elements from Instagram, including its visual style and navigation system. Additionally, Threads allows users to conveniently share their posts directly to Instagram Stories.
Thread accounts can be categorized as either public or private, allowing users to control their visibility. Once an Instagram account is verified, its verification status extends to Threads as well.
Mark Zuckerberg, the CEO of Meta, emphasized the aim of Threads in a post, stating, “Our goal for Threads is to establish a welcoming and inclusive environment for public discussions. We aspire to leverage Instagram’s strengths and introduce a fresh encounter centered on text, ideas, and meaningful conversations.”
How can you create an account on Threads app?
To create an account on Threads, simply sign up using your existing Instagram credentials. Your username, password, and account name will remain the same, although you have the option to customize your bio specifically for Threads. Additionally, importing your list of followed accounts from Instagram is a seamless process, making it quick and effortless to get started on the app.
How can you deactivate an account on Threads?
However, leaving Threads is not as straightforward. Although users have the ability to temporarily deactivate their profiles within the app’s settings, the company’s privacy policy states that permanent deletion of your Threads profile can only be accomplished by deleting your Instagram account entirely. Concerns have been raised by some users regarding the extensive data collection practices of both Threads and Instagram. This includes information such as location, contacts, search history, browsing history, and contact details, among other data points, as reported by the Apple App Store
Is Twitter in danger?
Threads has emerged as the newest player in the realm of social platforms, aiming to dethrone Twitter as the primary destination for live, public discussions. However, it possesses the strongest potential for success.
Ever since Musk assumed control of Twitter in late 2022, numerous users have expressed their longing for an alternative. Consistent technical glitches and policy modifications have compelled several prominent Twitter users to seek greener pastures elsewhere.
is Threads Twitter killer app?
Meta enjoys a notable advantage over Twitter in terms of its existing user base. With over 2 billion active Instagram users worldwide, Meta aims to entice a portion of this massive audience to embrace its new app. In contrast, Twitter’s active user base hovers around 250 million, making it considerably smaller in comparison.
In a Threads post, Zuckerberg expressed his belief that a public conversations app, hosting over 1 billion people, is achievable with time. He acknowledged that Twitter had the potential to accomplish this but fell short, expressing optimism that his own platform would succeed in doing so.
Twitter’s recently appointed CEO, Linda Yaccarino, seemed to recognize the emergence of a competing app in a tweet shared on Thursday. She described Twitter as “irreplaceable” while acknowledging the rival’s launch.
Yaccarino stated, “While we are often imitated, the unique essence of the Twitter community cannot be replicated.”
Meta, with its established scale and infrastructure, possesses certain advantages. Unlike several other Twitter competitors introduced in recent months that required users to join waitlists or receive invitations for sign-up, Threads simplifies the onboarding process, making it exceptionally easy for users to begin their journey on the platform.
However, Adam Mosseri, the CEO of Instagram, highlighted in a video shared on the platform that the real challenge for new social media platforms lies not in attracting users to sign up but in keeping them engaged over the long term.
Meta, the newly launched platform, will face specific challenges in curbing spam, harassment, conspiracy theories, and false claims on Threads, issues that have caused many Twitter users to lose interest. This launch comes in the wake of Meta’s significant layoffs, which began in November of last year, affecting more than 20,000 employees, including those in user experience, well-being, policy, and risk analytics. Additionally, this launch coincides with the campaign season for the 2024 US Presidential election, leading some experts to warn about an impending surge of misinformation. Meta assures that its Community Guidelines will be applicable to Threads, just as they are for its other applications
What other benefits does Meta gain from Threads?
Threads presents an opportunity for Meta to further engage its enormous user base and prolong their time spent on the platform. While advertisements are not currently present on Threads, it could eventually serve as a complementary addition to Meta’s core advertising business. Given Meta’s recent challenges stemming from a decline in the online ad market and changes in Apple’s app privacy practices, the company’s ad business could benefit from this boost. However, it is unlikely that Threads will attract as much advertising revenue as Meta’s other platforms, considering Twitter’s experience in this regard.
Nonetheless, for Mark Zuckerberg, the true appeal might lie in surpassing his rival, Elon Musk. In recent weeks, there have been discussions between Zuckerberg and Musk about engaging in a cage fight. Perhaps achieving victory in the battle of social networks holds an even greater allure for Zuckerberg.
