Over the past few months, we have seen a rise in the user base eager to try out new and old social networks alternatives to Twitter. Mastodon, Bluesky, Spill, T2 etc are some of the social media platforms people are trying out. Now, Meta is entering the game with a major launch in partnership with Instagram.
What is Threads and how do I create an account?
Threads is a text-based Twitter rival to Meta, and it's tied to your Instagram account, so you can create an account by logging in with your Instagram credentials.
How is it different from Twitter?
Currently, the app has no paid plans or ads, but if you pay for Meta Verified, you'll still get Instagram's seal of approval, and users can tap into the Instagram network to find people to follow.
The app has just been released, but it doesn't offer Twitter-like features like long video, direct messaging, or live audio rooms.
How do you use threads?
The platform is currently available on iOS and Android in over 100 countries, although due to privacy concerns, the app won't be available in the EU until December 2023. At that point, Meta launched Threads in the region, giving users the option to browse the social network without an account, but without the ability to publish posts or interact with other posts.
You will be logged in through your Instagram account so you can follow all the users you follow. Settings like username, name, block list etc. will also be imported.
How many users does this product have?
As of August 2024, roughly 13 months after launch, Threads has more than 200 million users.
Within hours of launch, Threads had over 10 million subscribers, and within 24 hours, over 30 million subscribers. Just five days after launch, Threads reached 100 million users.
On the first day, Mark Zuckerberg said the app had 2 million registered users in 2 hours, 5 million in 4 hours, and 10 million in 7 hours. The next morning, Meta's CEO said that over 30 million people had signed up to try the new app. Threads' growth is remarkable considering it has not yet launched in the EU due to privacy reasons.
What are the limitations for posting in a thread?
Users can post up to 500 characters per post on the app. Posts support images, videos, and GIFs. Thread posts support up to 10 media items. As of July 17, Threads announced that due to spam attacks, they had to tighten rate limiting, or the limit on the number of posts a user can see.
Can I use Threads on the web?
Yes, you can view and publish posts through Threads.net.
What is the latest thread update?
The first update for Threads brings several small changes, feature additions, and various bug fixes, including support for the recently released iOS 17 public beta. Released by Instagram software engineer Cameron Roth, the update includes the following:
iOS 17 crashes Double tap to search in search tab Facepile pill polish Enlarge profile photos Very tall photos become fully viewable Crop binary size Random images on thread lines are fixed Improved scroll to close functionality
How do I delete my Threads account?
You can deactivate or delete your Threads account. Until the end of 2023, you had to delete your Instagram account in accordance with Meta's Supplemental Privacy Policy. To delete your Threads account, Meta will retain your data for 30 days from your initial deletion request. If you change your mind, you can cancel the deletion within 30 days.
Can I DM people on the thread?
Users won't be able to send messages to others within the app, and Mosseri said the goal is to “give users the ability to send threads to other apps, rather than building yet another inbox.”
Does Threads have an API?
After testing the API with select partners for several months, Threads finally released a public API in June 2024. Developers can build tools to expose user posts, retrieve their own posts, get insights on engagement, etc. These tools do not yet help with deleting posts.
So, do you have third-party clients?
Currently, the Threads API has limitations, such as the inability for developers to retrieve timeline data, so it is not possible to create an alternative client for Threads.
Is Threads part of the Fediverse?
Partially yes. Earlier this year, Threads began experimenting with letting users share their posts to the Fediverse. When users turn on Fediverse sharing, other compatible ActivityPub network Mastodon users can follow and see their posts. Threads also allows Fediverse users to “like” Threads posts. The company also plans to share posts to the Fediverse even if they're published through a tool that uses the Threads API.
What features are currently missing from Threads?
Full Fediverse integration Scheduled posts (coming soon) Direct messages Lists support 3rd party client support
What are Threads' data collection methods?
Because you use your Instagram account to log into Threads, Meta explains that “it's part of your Instagram account.” Given the privacy label listed on the App Store, users are already questioning the app's data collection.
In response to a question about the app's privacy labels on the App Store, Rob Sherman, Meta's deputy chief privacy officer, said those labels are similar to the company's other apps.
“Labels are similar to our other apps, including Instagram, and our social apps receive any information you share within the app, including categories of data listed in the App Store,” he said in a Threads post.
If you have a frequently asked question about threads that isn't covered here, please leave a comment below.