Threads, originally known as Facebook, is a text-focused messaging program that Meta defines as Instagram’s “text-based conversation app.” Similar to Twitter, the app, which is available for download in over 100 countries, allows users to send short messages that others can like, share, and comment on. Threads users can follow the same profiles they follow on Instagram and respond to public posts. Meta’s CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, announced that Threads had already had 5 million sign-ups within the first four hours of its launch.
Threads wants to tap into the flood of users who have left Twitter, mainly due to Elon Musk’s unpredictable conduct as CEO of Tesla and SpaceX. The app provides a text-based messaging option with a visual design akin to Twitter. It enables users to have conversations, share ideas, and connect with other creators and people who share their interests. Posts in threads can be up to 500 characters long, as well as links, images, and videos up to 5 minutes long. Users can also limit who can mention or respond to them within the app.
The debut of Threads by Meta comes at a time when Twitter has faced a number of challenges and limits as a result of Elon Musk’s ownership, rendering it vulnerable to competition. BlueSky, a decentralized social messaging platform supported by Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey, has seen an increase in traffic since Twitter temporarily limited the number of tweets users could see. Threads also makes advantage of decentralized technologies and attempts to give consumers control over their data. Although Threads does not now support the decentralized network ActivityPub, Meta intends to add it in the future, allowing users to interact with other apps and platforms.
