Meta today announced that it has finally released the long-awaited Threads API, enabling developers to build experiences for Threads, enabling third-party developers to create new Threads experiences.
“The Threads API is now broadly available and will be available to more users soon,” Mark Zuckerberg posted about the API release.
Threads engineer Jesse Chen wrote in a blog post that the new API will allow developers to publish posts, pull their own content, and deploy reply management tools, meaning they'll be able to let users hide/show specific replies and even respond to replies.
The company added that in addition to these features, developers will also be able to leverage analytics with metrics such as views, likes, replies, reposts and citations at the medium and account level.
In October 2023, Instagram head Adam Mosseri first mentioned the company's work on the Threads API. The company released the API in closed beta with partners including Sprinklr, Sprout Social, Social News Desk, Hootsuite, and tech news bulletin board Techmeme. At the time, Chen said Meta planned to open the API broadly to developers in June. The company has delivered on its promise.
To coincide with the release of the new API, the company has also released a reference open-source app on GitHub for developers to try out.
Third-party developers building social networking tools have had a tough year in 2023, as social networks like Twitter (now X) and Reddit have restricted or shut down API access at various levels. Decentralized social networks like Mastodon and Bluesky have taken a more developer-friendly approach. But Meta's Threads is the largest new social network with over 150 million users. Threads' integration with the Fediverse and the release of its API give third-party developers the opportunity to build great social media experiences.