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Meta, formerly known as Facebook, Inc., has recently launched Threads, a social networking app that bears similarities to Twitter, owned by rival billionaire Elon Musk. In this guide, we will delve into what Instagram Threads is all about, how it operates, and how you can get your hands on it.
What Exactly is Threads?
Threads, developed by the Instagram team, is a new app from Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. It serves as a platform for sharing text updates and participating in public conversations. If it sounds familiar, that's because Threads aims to fill the microblogging social network gap that is currently facing Twitter. It's worth noting that a previous app named Threads was announced in 2021, but it resurfaced with a revamped and relaunched version.
What Features Does Threads Offer?
With Threads, you can compose messages with a character limit of up to 500, surpassing Twitter's 280-character restriction (unless you are subscribed to Twitter Blue). This limit aligns with the default character count on Mastodon, another popular platform. Additionally, your posts can include photos, videos up to five minutes long, and web links.
Check out: The History Of Instagram Threads
How Does Threads Function?
Once you have downloaded the app, you can log in using your existing Instagram account. Your username and verification, if applicable, will carry over to your Threads account. Furthermore, you have the option to personalize your profile for your new Threads account.
You can choose to automatically follow the same accounts you follow on Instagram and discover and add new accounts within the Threads app. Your feed will consist of posts from both followed accounts and recommended content. Similar to rival apps, you can reply to, repost, or quote posts from others.
Are There Well-Known Users on Threads?
As with any new social networking app, it takes time to gather users. However, since you can access Threads by signing in with your Instagram account, significant user numbers should materialize quickly. Some early adopters include notable figures like Shakira, F1 driver Lando Norris, NBA player Seth Curry, soccer star Kingsley Coman, and the renowned chef with a penchant for colorful language, Gordon Ramsay.
What Sets Threads Apart?
While Threads initially resembles existing platforms, there is a grand plan in the works. Although not currently available, the aim is to make Threads compatible with ActivityPub, a decentralized social networking protocol enabling interaction between different apps that utilize the same standard. This would allow Threads users to engage with accounts on diverse social media platforms. For instance, someone on Mastodon could request to follow your Threads account, and you could accept or reject the request directly within Threads. Consequently, you could then follow their Mastodon posts in your Threads feed without needing a Mastodon account. This feature holds significant promise as it develops.
Is Threads a Secure Platform?
Threads incorporates many of the built-in features from Instagram that help filter out unwanted content. You have control over who can reply to or mention you in a post, and a word filter allows you to exclude posts containing specific terms from appearing in your feed or replies. Accounts you have blocked on Instagram are automatically blocked on Threads as well, and you can unfollow, restrict, or block accounts directly within the Threads app.
Moreover, Threads adheres to Instagram's Community Guidelines, which require appropriate content for a diverse audience and prohibit hate speech or posts intended to degrade or shame individuals. Meta emphasizes its substantial investment of over $16 billion in the necessary teams and technology to enforce these guidelines on Instagram, assuring Threads users of a platform focused on "positive and productive conversations."
What About Privacy on Threads?
As an app owned by Meta, privacy concerns may arise. However, Threads places an emphasis on privacy from the start. Users under 18, or under 16 in some regions, are automatically assigned a private profile upon signing in. They can then approve or deny follower requests, mirroring the functionality on Instagram. Threads incorporates many privacy features found on Instagram, such as blocking or reporting users.
How Can You Obtain Threads?
Starting July 6, 2023, Threads is being rolled out in more than 100 countries worldwide. It is currently available for both iOS and Android and can be downloaded from the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store.