Meta Launches Threads, a Text-based Social Media Platform Tied to Instagram

In the past few months, there has been an increase in the popularity of text-based social network platforms as alternatives to Twitter. Platforms such as Mastodon, Bluesky, Spill, and T2 have gained attention from users looking to try out something new. Now, Meta has joined the game by launching Threads, which is tied to Instagram.

What is Threads and How to Create an Account?

Threads is Meta’s text-based rival to Twitter. To create an account, simply log in using your Instagram credentials as Threads is tied to your Instagram account.

How is Threads Different from Twitter?

Currently, Threads does not have any paid tiers or ads on the app. However, if you have a verification mark from Instagram, it will carry over to Threads. Users can also utilize their existing Instagram network to find people to follow. Unlike Twitter, Threads does not yet have features like long videos, direct messages, or live audio rooms.

How to Use Threads?

Threads is currently available on iOS and Android in over 100 countries. However, due to privacy concerns, the app is not available in the EU at the moment. By logging in through your Instagram account, you will be able to follow all the people you currently follow on Instagram. Your username, name, and settings, such as the block list, will also be imported.

How Many Users Does Threads Have?

In just a few hours after its launch, Threads had already surpassed the mark of 10 million signups. Within 24 hours, it reached 30 million signups.

Limitations of Posting on Threads

Users can post up to 500 characters in a single post on Threads. The app supports images, videos, and GIFs. A Thread post can include a maximum of 10 media items.

Can Threads Be Used on the Web?

You can view Thread posts and profiles on the web through a link. However, you cannot log in using your account or make posts on the web version of Threads.

How to Delete Your Threads Account?

To delete your Threads account completely, you need to delete your Instagram account as well, according to Meta’s “Supplemental Privacy Policy.”

Does Threads Have a “Following” Timeline?

Currently, Threads does not have a timeline that exclusively shows posts from accounts you follow. The home timeline is algorithmic and includes a mix of posts from accounts you follow and other users. Instagram head, Adam Mosseri, mentioned that they rank posts lightly and show recommendations from accounts you don’t follow to help users discover new content.

Can You DM People on Threads?

It is not possible to send direct messages to other users on Threads. The goal, according to Mosseri, is to allow users to send threads to other apps instead of building yet another inbox within Threads.

Is Threads Part of the Fediverse?

At launch, Meta’s new app does not support the feature of a decentralized social network. This means you cannot migrate in or out of the server. However, Meta plans to incorporate ActivityPub support in the future. Adam Mosseri stated, “We’re committed to building support for ActivityPub, the protocol behind Mastodon, into this app. We weren’t able to finish it for launch given a number of complications that come along with a decentralized network, but it’s coming.”

Features Currently Missing from Threads

• A “Following” feed
• Support for GIFs
• Full web version support
• Editing posts
• Inline translation
• Support for user-generated Alt image text
• Hashtags

Threads’ Data Collection Practices

Since Threads requires logging in with an Instagram account, Meta states that Threads is part of your Instagram account. Concerns have been raised about the app’s data collection practices, especially considering the privacy labels mentioned in the App Store.