Threads: The Potential ‘Twitter Killer’ and What You Should Know
Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, has recently launched a new app called Threads, which some speculate could pose a serious threat to Twitter. In the wake of Elon Musk taking over Twitter and making controversial decisions, the popular social media platform has faced backlash and vulnerabilities. Threads, already receiving a staggering 30 million sign-ups, has quickly become the top trending topic on Twitter and the number one free app on Apple’s App Store.
So, what exactly are Threads? It’s an app similar to Twitter in many ways, including a text-based post feed, and the ability to share photos and videos. Users can talk, reply, repost, and quote others in real time. However, Threads also incorporates elements from Instagram, offering a familiar aesthetic and navigation system. Users can even directly share posts from Threads to their Instagram Stories. Thread accounts can be public or private, and verified Instagram accounts automatically receive verification on Threads.
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg expressed the vision for Threads as creating a friendly public space for conversation, combining the best aspects of Instagram with a new focus on text, ideas, and discussions. The launch of Threads did experience some minor glitches and content loading issues, which is to be expected with the influx of millions of users joining and using the app simultaneously.
To sign up for Threads, users can use their existing Instagram accounts, maintaining the same username, password, and account name. They can also import their list of followed accounts from Instagram, making it easy to get started on the app. However, leaving Threads is not as straightforward. While users can temporarily deactivate their profiles, the app’s privacy policy states that deleting the Threads profile requires deleting the associated Instagram account.
Threads is currently available in 100 countries and supports over 30 languages on both iOS and Android devices. As for its potential as a ‘Twitter killer,’ Threads has a significant advantage due to Meta’s massive user base. With over 2 billion global active Instagram users, compared to Twitter’s estimated 250 million active users, Meta aims to capture a substantial portion of Instagram’s existing user base.
Meta’s existing scale and infrastructure give Threads a head start compared to other Twitter competitors. Unlike other platforms that require users to join waitlists or receive invitations, Threads allows for a seamless transition with an established network. However, Meta must address concerns regarding spam, harassment, misinformation, and conspiracy theories to ensure the longevity and success of Threads. The launch of Threads follows Meta’s layoffs and is accompanied by heightened warnings of misinformation during the upcoming 2024 US Presidential election. Meta states that its Community Guidelines will apply to Threads, just as they do on its other platforms.
For Meta, Threads represents an opportunity to increase engagement among its vast user base. While the app currently does not display ads, it could potentially supplement Meta’s core advertising business in the future.
As the competition heats up in the social media landscape, only time will tell if Threads will truly become a ‘Twitter killer.’ With its similarities to Twitter and the backing of Meta’s existing user base, Threads certainly has the potential to disrupt the social media landscape and provide users with a fresh alternative to Twitter’s current state.
In the ever-evolving world of social media, it will be fascinating to see how Threads shapes the future of public conversations and if it can live up to its potential as a formidable contender to Twitter’s dominance.