O
n July 6, 2023, Meta launched a new text-based app called Threads. It affords the opportunity to join or start a public conversation and connect with people of like interests. This app is interconnected with your main Instagram account and can’t be used independently. You can make a post of up to 500 characters, which can include links and up to 5-minute videos. The app already has over 30 million sign-ups in such a short time, showing receptivity and promises of longevity.
But let’s talk about this Twitter-like app. Is it an open invitation from Mark Zuckerberg to the highly-talked-about cage match between him and Elon Musk? While we’re all not sure if that physical match would ever happen, the not-so-subtle jabs are not hard to detect.
Elon Musk tweeted he would be “up for a cage fight.” Zuckerberg replied by posting a screenshot of Musk’s tweet with the caption “Send me location.” This online bickering might have been used to create countless funny memes on Twitter, but the fight and Meta’s habit of cloning successful apps aren’t always humorous to all.
Should Elon Musk be blamed for the emergence of Meta’s Threads?
“We build Threads with tools to enable positive productive conversations” ~ Meta
Since Elon Musk became in charge of Twitter, there’s been lots of controversies surrounding his policies and, of course, incessant questionable tweets. Mark Zuckerberg might have decided to ride on this opportunity to create a similar app – Threads, already available in over 100 countries. Adam Mosseri, Instagram head, confirmed this: “Obviously, Twitter pioneered the space. Twitter’s volatility and unpredictability under Musk provided the opening to compete.”
Even with a die-hard user base, Twitter has had to contend with angry users fussing over the changes on the platform. For example, creating a Twitter blue subscription service. With this service, users can purchase the blue mark and can read about 6,000 tweets per day, while unverified accounts are limited to 600 tweets per day. This has upset some users.
How this Twitter rival app works
- Sign up on Threads using your Instagram account.
- You can choose the option of following the same accounts you follow on Instagram or explore new accounts.
- Just like Instagram, your feed consists of posts from people you follow and suggested content.
- You get to share text-based posts and join public real-time conversations.
- Users can reply to, repost, and quote others’ posts.
- You can share posts from Threads directly on your Insta story.
- If you’re already verified on Instagram, you will retain your blue mark on Meta’s Threads.
- You can edit your bio or import data from your linked Instagram account. This makes the sign-up process seamless.
- Meta plans to eventually clip Threads into ActivityPub, the decentralized social media protocol that also powers Mastodon. This feature isn’t available for now.
Major concerns surrounding this app
- In the past, when IG reels were launched, the creators noticed a shift in the algorithm. It seems when Meta releases a new feature, accounts not using these features notice a decline in engagement and reach. Users are concerned that this would be the case with Threads. If they refuse to sign up, their Instagram accounts could plummet.
- According to Meta via Threads’ Privacy policy, “…your Threads profile can only be deleted by deleting your Instagram account.” This simply means, if you want to delete your Threads account, it will affect your Instagram account. You can’t delete Meta’s Threads without losing your Instagram account. Of all the concerns surrounding this app, this feature trumps all. While you can disable the account temporarily, there’s no permanent severance between these social Siamese twins. Users want to know if Threads can function as an independent app. This way, you can leave without sacrificing the other.
- Also, it would be convenient to have an option of linking various Instagram accounts and creating different usernames. While most people might not care, the feeling that you’re free to do that brings rest. According to a user, it’s giving “held-against-my-will energy.”
- Due to the complicated laws in the EU, Meta’s Threads won’t launch in the EU for now. As expected, Instagram users from this region aren’t pleased.
- If Threads is anything like Instagram when it comes to content censorship (freedom of speech), then its longevity would be tested. Unlike Twitter where people share posts without much policing, Instagram is known for flagging and shadow-banning any account that goes against their strict community guidelines. If this happens with Threads, certain users may unapologetically crawl back into the arduous arms of Twitter.
- The feature for switching accounts isn’t available yet. Those who handle multiple accounts might find this daunting. You need to log out each time to switch between accounts.
Threads vs Twitter
- Twitter is a 17-year-old text-based app that has established a solid user base over time, and Threads is Meta’s freshest baby in the market. This means Threads has its work cut out for it.
- Instagram has about 2 billion active users, and this already gives Threads an edge. And with a Twitter user base of about 250 million, Meta might have the upper hand.
“It’ll take some time, but I think there should be a public conversations app with 1 billion+ people on it. Twitter has had the opportunity to do this but hasn’t nailed it. Hopefully, we will.” ~ Mark Zuckerberg subtly swiped.
There have been Twitter rivals in the past, but some of them have required complicated sign-up processes. But Meta’s Threads make it easy to join. We can all agree that while this is a good start, piquing these users’ interests and retaining them on the app is key.
Apparently, Elon Musk isn’t impressed. He tweeted, “It is infinitely preferable to be attacked by strangers on Twitter than indulge in the false happiness of hide-the-pain Instagram.” It seems the cage fight between these two tech giants might happen after all.
Featured image: Forbes Australia
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