Unveiling Threads: Meta's Latest App

Digital Marketing | Nicole Keiner | Wednesday, July 26, 2023
phone showing twitter and threads logos

As social media continues to evolve, a new app has been released that promises to revolutionize how we interact online. Threads by Meta is an innovative new platform poised to become the next big thing in digital conversations. It has over 100 million users and is the fastest-growing consumer software application in history, gaining over 100 million users in its first 5 days and surpassing the record previously set by ChatGPT. But what makes this relatively unknown app different from the well-established behemoth, Twitter (or shall we say “X”)? In this Blog post, we will delve into a comparison of Threads and Twitter, enabling you to make an informed decision about which platform aligns perfectly with your unique requirements. By providing a list of the features, functionalities, and user experiences offered by both platforms, we aim to equip you with the knowledge and insights necessary to determine which one suits your needs best.

Threads is a new app built by the Instagram team for sharing text updates and joining public conversations. You log in using your Instagram account, and posts can be up to 500 characters long and include links, photos, and videos up to 5 minutes in length. It comes with many features users can customize as well as offers various privacy settings. Meta said Threads was designed to help users "tune out the noise" by providing a more focused and positive space for sharing and interacting with content. Some of the ways Threads helps users do this include:

Close Friends List
As mentioned above, this feature allows users to share content only with a select group of people they trust and feel comfortable around, thus reducing the noise from unwanted or irrelevant content.

Status Screen
Threads includes a status screen where users can share what they are up to without posting it publicly. This feature provides a more personal way of communicating with close friends while keeping out the noise from others.

Focuses on Kindness
Meta has marketed Threads as a positive space where users can "tune out" the noise and simply focus on kindness. The company emphasizes this by encouraging users to be kind and respectful in interacting with others on the platform. 

Some of the app's critical differences from Twitter include: 

Direct Messaging
One significant difference from Twitter is that Threads does not include direct messaging capabilities.

Newsfeed
Threads uses a fork-like newsfeed feature, which allows users to view content based on the accounts they follow and groups they belong to, whereas Twitter has a chronological timeline.

Hashtags
One limitation of Threads is that it currently does not support the use of hashtags. As a result, it can be challenging to discover and connect with like-minded communities on the app. This sets it apart from Twitter, where hashtags are widely used as a powerful tool to find and engage with others who share similar interests or discussions. Without hashtags, the process of connecting with relevant communities on Threads may require more effort and exploration.

Mobile Only
Threads is a mobile-only app, which sets it apart from Twitter. This means that you can only access Threads through the mobile app, while Twitter offers the flexibility to access the platform through both web browsers and the mobile app. While you can read Threads on the service's website (threads.net), the current functionality does not allow for posting, reposting, liking, or commenting through the web interface. These features are exclusively available only within the Threads mobile app.

You can’t delete your Threads profile without deleting your Instagram account
As noted by TechCrunch, Meta says in its “supplemental privacy policy” for Threads, “You may deactivate your Threads profile at any time, but your Threads profile can only be deleted by deleting your Instagram account.” That may give users pause about adopting Threads.

No ability to search posts
The search function in Threads is currently limited to finding user accounts. However, Meta has plans to enhance the search experience by introducing new features. These updates will enable users to explore topics and discover creators they are interested in, with improved recommendations in their feed. Additionally, Meta aims to provide a more comprehensive search function, allowing users to easily follow topics and trends in real-time.

Lacks additional Twitter features
Currently, Threads also lacks language translation capabilities, the ability to edit posts, and seamless switching between multiple accounts. However, it's important to note that as Threads continues to evolve, future updates may address these limitations.

In conclusion, when it comes to choosing between Threads and Twitter (“X”), the decision ultimately lies in the hands of the user. Both platforms offer unique features and experiences that cater to different social media needs. Threads presents a simplified layout, enhanced verification system, and growing popularity, which may attract users looking for a streamlined experience. On the other hand, Twitter (“X”) boasts its established presence, in-app messaging capabilities, and customizable feeds, making it a preferred choice for those seeking diverse content and communication options. Ultimately, users should consider their preferences, desired features, and the purpose they wish to fulfill on a social media platform to determine whether Threads or Twitter suits their needs.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Nicole Keiner is a Senior Marketing Strategist for Intrada Technologies. Her responsibilities include developing and executing marketing and digital media marketing strategies for clients. Nicole has nearly two decades of experience in public relations, content development, digital media marketing, and event management for businesses of all shapes, sizes, and types.

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