The Basics of “Threads” – Meta’s Answer to Twitter

It was supposed to drop tomorrow, but here it is! Mark Zuckerburg’s answer to Twitter.

The first thing to know is that it uses the same profile as Instagram. If you have Instagram, getting started on Threads is a piece of cake. If you don’t have Instagram, well, you’ll need one to be on Threads. The usernames will be the same.

The main differentiator between Instagram and Threads (besides the text vs. photos/videos concepts) is Threads is supposed to be more about real-time public conversations. If you want to have conversations, Threads is the place. Want to show off your latest outfit? Instagram is for you.

Threads aims to create an open and friendly space for communities, according to Adam Mosseri, the head of Instagram.

While Threads resembles Twitter (maybe a bit TOO much, according to Twitter — there could be a lawsuit in the works) in terms of a scrolling feed for text-based posts, photo, and video sharing, it currently lacks direct messaging, a feature offered by Twitter. Since it’s so fresh, it also is lacking other basic features like search, hashtags, and a dedicated feed that shows just the people you follow. According to Mosseri, that’s all on the way.

There are also no ads — yet. That will come as more and more people join, I assume. And join they have! Over 10 million in just a few hours!

Also note that you can VIEW Threads on a computer, but in order to create or engage with posts on the new platform, you’ll need the mobile app.

Meta, the parent company of Instagram, has a history of cloning features from social media rivals, such as TikTok, and is driven by a desire to have a product that rivals Twitter.

You can read much more about it in this article from Verge, including why they are not in Europe quite yet.

You can follow the station: www.threads.net/@959theriver or follow me: www.threads.net/@Nickwithamic