Meta, formerly known as Facebook, who also has other popular products in its suit of offerings like WhatsApp, Messenger, and Instagram, launched a new app called Threads, available on Apple or Android, on July 6, 2023. The app, aimed as a rival to Twitter has set a record for being the most rapidly downloaded app of all time, with over 30 million users in less 24 hours since being launched and growing to over 100 million within 3 days. It has left many wondering if this is the app that will ultimately challenge Twitter.
CONSIDERING THE OTHER APPS
While there is a lot of initial excitement about the app, it is another in the long line of efforts from developers like Post, Mastodon, Hive, and BlueSky, trying to attract frustrated users on the Twitter platform dealing with the erratic behaviour of billionaire owner Elon Musk. All have enjoyed an initial bump in interest that has waned over time leaving users in a state of social media homelessness. The new apps seem to be difficult to access, challenging to sign-up on, and don’t have the look and feel that users find familiar, or easy to navigate. Plus, Twitter has enjoyed years of users building their followers and the idea of having to rebuild their communities is a daunting, time-consuming task many don’t want to entertain. So why do users keep looking?
WHY A TWITTER ALTERNATIVE
People continue to search for a Twitter alternative due to its constantly changing rules and restrictions. Some notable changes Musk implemented was a subscription system for user verifications, which broke several accounts. Next, he cut-off integration with partner businesses who developed apps to feed into Twitter, unless they too wanted to subscribe to multi-tiered offerings. Recently he began limiting how many tweets a user could view based on their subscription status, while also limiting access to people’s own information. Most of these changes come with little communication or opportunity for people or businesses to adjust. Most of the time the changes get modified shortly after they’ve been implemented, again leaving everyone confused. While some users remain loyal to the Twitter brand and are forking over money to be part of whatever Musk is creating, it seems like the world is waiting for a more stable alternative. Is Threads finally that alternative (Available on Apple or Android) ?
EARLY POSITIVE THREADS
The new threads app quickly addressed some of its competitors’ early woes. The platform made it easy for users to sign up, especially if they already had an Instagram account, which copied their username and brought over all their existing contacts, meaning they also didn’t have to spend time re-building their community of followers. The interface has some similarities to Twitter with icons that let users look at their profile, write a post (thread), see their followers, replies, and mentions, and go back to their home view. The app lets you post links, pictures, videos up to 5 minutes in length, and allows for up to 500 characters of text (compared to 280 on Twitter). Like Twitter you can comment, like, and re-post a thread, as well as send it to other platforms (including Twitter), post it to your feed, copy the link, or share it to other apps and platforms.
Even if you’re new to these types of apps, it's easy enough to figure out how to use and early user reviews say the community is less combative than Twitter. With all these positives is there anything users might still look for that isn’t there yet?
FUTURE THREADS UPDATES
Threads still needs to add some tweaks to address some noticeable voids. For example, there is no direct messaging within the app between users. There’s also no way to search for a topic, only users, and subsequently there is no “trending now” view. With the traction the app has received, some believe it’s a matter of time before these features get introduced in a planned execution of upgrades.
WILL IT REPLACE TWITTER
It’s hard to argue with the momentum that Threads has had since launching. If Threads comes through with the additional updates, this app poses a real threat to the unpredictability of the Twitter platform that continues to alienate its entire user base, subscribed or not. If Twitter continues to limit how much a user can view, post, access, or develop, both users and sponsors will continue to flee, leaving behind even less reason to be on the platform that already exists today. The only ones left on Twitter will be Elon Musk and those willing to pay a monthly fee to see their own blue checkmark. So far, Threads has made a positive global impression as users continue to look for a new social media home and Twitter sees it as enough of a threat to already launch a law-suit against Meta.
WHERE TO GET THREADS
You can download the Threads app from the Apple or Google Store. It works on both iOS and Android. There is currently no desktop access to Threads.
TALE OF THE TAPE
The take of the tape compares Threads and Twitter (non-subscription account).
|
|
THREADS |
|
|
Post Text |
Yes (500 Characters) |
Yes (280 Characters) |
|
Post Video |
Yes (Up To 5 Min) |
Yes (Up To 1 Min) |
|
Post Pictures |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Like Function |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Re-Post Function |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Copy Link |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Search Users |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Mobile Mode |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Limited Post Views |
No |
Yes (1000 daily) |
|
Contacts From Other Socials |
Yes |
No |
|
Search Topics |
No |
Yes |
|
Send Direct Message |
No |
Yes |
|
Trending Topics View |
No |
Yes |
|
Dark Mode |
No |
Yes |
|
Desktop Mode |
No |
Yes |
This is an opinion article by Guido Piraino of The Monthly Social Podcast. It may also be heard on The Path Radio Mix Online. You can read other opinion articles on the blog page. You may also enjoy video content of The Monthly Social Podcast on YouTube or The Path Radio Mix on YouTube. For sports content, please consider The Coach's Call YouTube Podcast.