Twitter alternatives – New and oldest have discovered viewers who are willing to try out new social networks since Elon Musk took over the company in 2022. Mastodon, Blueski, Spill and T2 are some of the social media platforms people are among them. The same goes for Meta's threading platform.
What is a thread? How do you create an account?
The thread is Meta's text-based Twitter rival. Because it is tied to an Instagram account, you can create an account by logging in using your Instagram credentials.
How is it different from Twitter?
Currently, there are no paid classes or ads in the app. However, the confirmation mark from Instagram will still be carried over even if you pay for meta-verification. Users can use their Instagram network to find out who to follow.
The app was launched over a year ago, but does not have Twitter-like features such as long videos, direct messaging, or live audio rooms.
How do you use threads?
The platform is currently available on iOS and Android in over 100 countries. However, due to privacy concerns, the app was currently unavailable in the EU until December 2023. At the time, Meta launched local threads with the option to browse social networks without an account.
You are logged in via your Instagram account so you can follow everyone you follow. It also imports usernames, names, and settings, such as blocklists.
How many users are there for this?
As of November 2024, the thread has over 275 million active users.
It was a steady ramp up. Within hours of launch, the thread surpassed the 10 million sign-up mark and reached 100 million users within just five days of launch.
What are the restrictions on posting to a thread?
Users can post 500 characters in one post in the app. Posts support images, videos and GIFs. Threaded posts support up to 10 media items. As of July 17th, the thread announced that due to spam attacks, it would need to tighten rate limits or how the poster can view it.
Can I use threads on the web?
Yes, you can view the post and publish it from swreets.net.
How do I delete a thread account?
You can disable or delete a thread account. Until the end of 2023, I had to delete my Instagram account in order to delete my thread account in accordance with Meta's Supplementary Privacy Policy. Meta will retain the data for 30 days of the initial deletion request. If you change your mind, you can cancel your deletion within 30 days.
How can I customize my thread experience?
Threads allow you to pin search terms and tags as feeds. The company is also testing how to create custom feeds by adding specific profiles and terminology to new feeds. For a long time, the social network's proprietary algorithm, “For You” feed, has been the default feed for users, but you can set the feed to default.
Meta's latest social platform was inspired by rival social network BlueSky to create its own version of the “Starter Pack.” This is a list of people to follow based on a variety of subjects. In March, Meta announced that it had begun testing new features that allow people to add interest to their profiles.
Can I DM people on a thread?
You cannot send messages to users of the app. Instagram head Adam Mosseri said the goal is to “not build yet another inbox and allow threads to be sent to other apps instead.”
Does the thread have an API?
After testing the API with select partners for several months, the thread finally launched its public API in June 2024. Developers can publish user posts, get their own posts, and gain insight into engagement. These tools are not yet useful for deleting posts.
Does that mean you have a third-party client?
At the moment, threads' APIs have limitations, such as allowing developers to retrieve timeline data. Therefore, you cannot create an alternate client for a thread at this time.
Is the thread part of the Fediverse?
Partially. In early 2024, the thread began an experiment to allow users to share posts with Fediverse. So, when users turn on Fediverse sharing, people on other compatible ActivityPub networks like Mastodon can follow them to see the posts. Threads can also allow Fediverse users to prefer posting in threads.
In 2024, Meta expanded its support for Fediverse. I've added a way for thread users to post replies from Fediverse users, and have seen support for posts generated via thread APIs that are distributed with Fediverse, as well as people following from other servers.
In December 2024, the company began allowing thread users to follow profiles on other Fediverse servers.
What are some features currently missing from threads?
Full Feed Dayverse Integrated Scheduling Post (Coming soon) Direct messaging support for list of third-party clients
What are thread data collection practices?
Meta says that she is “part of her Instagram account” because she is logged into the thread using her Instagram account. Considering the privacy labels mentioned in the app store, users have already raised questions about data collection for their apps.
In response to a question about app privacy labels on the App Store, Meta's Deputy Chief Privacy Director Rob Sherman said last year that these labels resemble other apps at the company.
“The labels are similar to other apps, including Instagram. Social apps are meant to receive information they share with the app (including categories of data listed in the App Store),” he said in a post in a thread at the time.
This story was originally released on July 6, 2023 and is updated regularly.