Meta Launches Threads, Twitter Competitor
By Movieguide® Contributor
Meta launched Threads on Wednesday, a new social media site designed to compete with Twitter.
“The vision for Threads is to create an option and friendly public space for conversation,” Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg said on Threads following the launch. “We hope to take what Instagram does best and create a new experience around text, ideas, and discussing what’s on your mind.”
The new platform functions similarly to Twitter, lending itself to text-based posts, although photos and videos can also be posted. Users can reply to, quote, and repost other Threads posts, allowing for real-time conversations. The site also limits messages to 500 words or less.
Threads launched with immediate success, reaching 10 million users by the first day and hitting 30 million by the second. A major factor in the high user count comes from the streamlined process of creating an account. Threads requires users to sign in using their Instagram login, allowing them to carry over their follower and following list rather than start from scratch.
While Threads had a smooth launch, the site is still in its early stages, leaving many users unsatisfied with their experience. For example, there is currently no option to limit the posts you see to only accounts that you follow, leaving users bombarded with celebrity posts they have no interest in. The site is also only fully available on its app. Although users can view Threads posts on their computer, the site can only be navigated through the app.
One of the largest concerns for users is that once an account is created it can only be deleted if the user also deletes their Instagram account; although a Threads account can be disabled without affecting the user’s Instagram. This issue highlights another concern for users: privacy. The connection between Threads and Instagram has many users concerned about the amount of data Meta can collect, including location, contacts, search history, browsing history, contact info and more.
Despite the launch day pitfalls, Threads has immediately looked like a real competitor to Twitter. Meta has a long history of successfully copying other companies’ technology. Instagram Stories, for example, is largely a copycat of Snapchat, and Instagram Reels was modeled after TikTok. Both Stories and Reels are now fundamental parts of Instagram that are large factors in the platform’s popularity. It seems Threads could be the next thing that propels Meta to newer heights.
Twitter, however, does not seem to think so. Twitter’s new CEO Linda Yaccarino posted on Thursday, “YOU built the Twitter community. And that’s irreplaceable. This is your public square. We’re often imitated – but the Twitter community can never be duplicated.” While not directly naming Threads, it is clear who this Tweet was for.
While Threads is still far from being a “Twitter killer,” it is the first real competitor to eat into Twitter’s space. However, given the company’s struggles since Elon Musk took it over at the end of last year, there is real concern over users abandoning the site. Twitter will need a big win soon, otherwise, the fate of the company could be in jeopardy.
Movieguide® previously reported on Threads:
Forbes reported that Meta, the founding company of Facebook and Instagram, has tested a new app in contest to Twitter.
The reason behind the new app is in response to Elon Musk taking over Twitter.
“Many frustrated users have posted publicly about finding an alternative to Twitter since billionaire Elon Musk took over in October 2022 and began quickly making changes to the platform, ranging from adding an algorithm-driven “For You” page, to eliminating moderation teams charged with eliminating offensive content, to charging people to be verified and get access to features like an edit button,” Forbes reported.
In house, the new app has been named “Project 92” or “Barcelona.” Meta told tech journalist, Casey Newton, that the company, “believe(d) there’s an opportunity for a separate space where creators and public figures can share timely updates about their interests.”
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