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