We might not be any closer to getting a cage match between Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg, but we are witnessing an epic face-off between your toxic ex’s favourite tech boys. Zuckerberg’s Meta has just released the new social media platform Threads, a potential competitor to Musk’s recent acquisition Twitter.
The app was recently launched in more than 100 countries for iOS and Android users. Many celebrities, like Gordon Ramsay, Shakira, and Karlie Kloss, got early access to Threads, and many other known social media figures are joining the new platform too.
“Our vision with Threads is to take what Instagram does best and expand that to text, creating a positive and creative space to express your ideas,” read a statement from Meta.
What is Instagram Threads?
Threads is the newest social media app to add to your rotation of the three apps you alternate between while you’re trying to ignore your life’s real problems. On the app, users can share text updates, post links, reply to posts, and join conversations. Like Twitter, your Threads feed will contain text updates from the people you follow and the accounts that your algorithm thinks you should follow.
Would you need a separate account for Threads?
Threads will use your existing Instagram or Meta account and port all your information from it. So you will be already following the people you follow on Instagram on Threads and be able to see what they’re posting right away. You’d also be able to share your Threads to your Instagram profile easily and even share them on other platforms too.
While that makes your life a little bit easier, be warned that if you change your mind about Threads and decide to delete your account on the new app, your Instagram account will get deleted too.
Would you be able to post images or videos to Threads?
While Threads, like Twitter, is a text-based app, you can attach photos or videos (that are 5 minutes long) to your posts. Also, the posts can be 500 characters long.
Will you get ads on Threads?
Thankfully, Threads will be ad-free for now. According to Meta, that’s something they might look into if the app takes off.
Why do we need Threads in our lives?
While there’s no pressing need for another social media app, especially something that’s so similar to one that already exists, Threads is not entirely pointless.
It comes at a time when Musk’s Twitter is getting harder and more frustrating to use every single day. The random, unpredictable updates have worsened the user experience on the app and the increasing number of features that are getting hidden behind the paywall of a Twitter Blue membership are also not helping. Even loyal Twitter users have been voicing a need for an alternate platform that could essentially be a new version of the app.
Can Threads truly replace Twitter?
That remains to be seen but the clean user interface of the new app and the similar features do indicate a brighter future.
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