Introducing Threads—the new public conversations app by Instagram. It is a separate app that has the potential to challenge X (Twitter) and become the world’s new text-based conversation platform for creators to share ideas, opinions, and creativity.
In this blog post, you will find all the latest Threads feature updates.
New Threads Features July 2024
Threads will credit original creators with a new re-share feature
Threads is trying to keep its users honest as to where they got their content by enabling a ‘media re-share’ option, designed to give credit to the original poster.
This news was originally leaked by researcher Alessandro Paluzzi and it looks very straightforward: the username of the original poster is added to the top-left corner of the re-shared post:
As you can see from the example, the feature is called ‘Use media’ right now, but that may change once it launches fully.
Meta to boost engagement on Threads with more API elements
In an effort to help brands, companies, and social media managers using Threads for their online marketing goals, Meta has devised an additional method of utilizing Threads’ API.
Called “Web Intents”, this element of the API will help users engage with Threads through third-party sites without any restrictions.
So, in addition to following profiles and interacting with posts, users will now be able to quickly create and publish new posts.
For instance, users can generate posts with text only, URL only, or a combination of both with a single click, as you can see below:
Disappearing posts on Threads in 24 hours
In an effort to create the best social media platform, Threads is constantly innovating and testing new updates. Right now, they are focused on disappearing thread posts and media tabs for profiles.
For instance, the ‘disappearing updates’ change shared by Alessandro Paluzzi will get automatically deleted within a day of posting, along with all replies:
The main implication here is that such an update will promote sharing of controversial content, and celebrities won’t have their past activity brought up whenever they get more media exposure.
The other significant update the Threads team is working on is a ‘Media’ tab added to user profiles, such as the one below:
This is nothing new as the same type of tab has existed on Twitter for a long time now, and once accessed, shows all the videos and photos the user has shared on the platform
Threads revealed details on platform usage
To celebrate its first birthday, the team behind Threads has released valuable insights into how users interact with the platform.
By partnering with Wakefield Research, Threads managed to survey almost 2,000 users of different ages to learn more about their social media leanings.
For instance, almost two-thirds of all surveyed users claimed they are using Threads to connect with other like-minded individuals.
Also, the most used topic tags so far include “PhotographyThreads”, “BookThreads”, “GymThreads”, “ArtThreads”, and “TTPD”, the last of which refers to Taylor Swift’s last album.
The hottest topics on Threads, according to Zoomers, include food, fashion, and music, which works in Meta’s favor as the company is striving to stay away from politics and world news.
Last but not least, and a tad surprising, two-thirds of Threads’ posts are text-based, unlike those posted across other social media.
Threads hits a milestone of 175 million users on its birthday
Reaching this user count within a year of existing is an impressive achievement and puts Threads as a very serious player in the social media landscape.
That said, the success is due to its connection with Instagram, as users were prompted to create a Threads account there.
Plus, Threads has a long way to go to match Twitter’s numbers of nearly 500 million users. At least, it’s on its way to doing that sooner than expected.
New Threads Features June 2024
Threads launches its side-swiping functionality for posts globally
Threads is finally launching its side-swiping feature to all users after Zuckerberg reported they were working on the feature back in March of 2024.
Now, users can simply train their Threads algorithm by swiping right on posts to indicate they want to see more of that kind of content or left to indicate they dislike the content:
By utilizing this feature, Threads users will stop relying on their Instagram likes and dislikes to curate their Threads feed, which is still connected to its parent platform.
Threads is changing its hashtags functionality
As revealed by Mosseri in a recent interview with a famous Instagram influencer, hashtags don’t really help users boost their posts’ reach.
After all, modern social media platforms have gotten much better at discovering the context of posts from other indicators,
Threads is testing a new method of using traditional hashtags, such as reminders while composing the thread and adding the ‘#’ marker before the hashtag keyword.
However, their current implementation of tags proved inefficient in aligning Threads posts with the right audience. Plus, the platform needs better methods of recognizing context so it properly filters posts.
Instagram cross-posting coming to WhatsApp
In an effort to further bring together all their apps together, Meta is adding additional cross-posting functionality to Instagram.
As revealed on Twitter, whenever you’ll be posting IG stories in the future, you’ll be able to cross-post them on WhatsApp in addition to Facebook:
The obvious benefit of this addition is that you will increase your audience reach both on your personal and your business WhatsApp accounts.
Imagine immediately resharing your Instagram product updates via your WhatsApp channel, where you can inform your audience of all your latest updates.
Threads is launching its TweetDeck-style desktop view for all users
After initially testing its own version of the TweetDeck in May 2024, Threads has decided to go ahead and launch the feature worldwide.
As most users know, the TweetDeck is a powerful add-on for X (Formerly Twitter) that allows users to monitor multiple timelines when using the website version of the app on a big screen.
As you can see from this screenshot, the feature is already live, and you can add anything from your profile and ‘For you’ main feed to your ‘Following’, ‘Liked’, ‘Saved’, ‘Search’, and ‘Activity’:
So, you can customize your Threads look as you wish in a single workspace, which should make the job of social media managers much easier. Plus, you can set your columns to auto-update so you only see the latest news in real-time.
New Threads Features May 2024
Threads has added view counts on posts
To help its users understand how their reach and engagement is working, the Threads team has just added view counts on individual Threads, which will undoubtedly prove to be a great addition for both new and existing creators:
As you can see from the example above, over 550,000 users have seen the announcement for this exact update.
This feature is only available on the mobile app as of now, however, seeing as how Threads is continuously updating the functionality of its browser-based app, we wouldn’t be surprised if you see this addition make an appearance there too.
More to the point, view counts will help new creators understand whether or not they have to change their posting strategy depending on the engagement vs view rates of their individual posts
Threads gives users full control over their posts
The latest official Threads update gives creators a lot more control over the replies they receive to their posts on the platform:
The ability to limit who can quote your Threads posts is now available to everyone. You can allow quotes from everyone on Threads, only the people you follow, or disable quote posts entirely. I hope this will help keep Threads a more positive place and give people more control over their experience. If you’ve been using this feature, would love to hear your thoughts.
Source
Therefore, in addition to hiding the like and share counts, creators can now also restrict the replies they received from mentioned users only or the profiles they follow. As of right now, the default setting is set to: ‘Anyone’.
This new feature is accessible via the ‘Who can reply and quote’ section, accessible via the three-dot menu of individual Threads posts:
As Mosseri explains, this decision is to make the platform “a more positive place and give people control over their experiences.”
New Threads Features April 2024
Financial incentives for influencers to boost engagement on Threads
In an effort to capitalize on the recent increased interest in Threads, Meta is looking to incentivize various high-profile creators with a bonus of $5,000 when they post on Threads.
Plus, if their posts or replies surpass 10,000 views, they will become eligible for additional rewards.
Note that as of right now this bonus program is invite-only, and eligible users will receive a pop-up notification in Instagram’s Professional Dashboard.
Threads adding hidden words and notification features
Threads is adding further app settings to allow users to customize their experience on the platform.
Firstly, they are adding a new option to filter out posts and replies based on specific words, phrases, and emojis:
For instance, if you are not a sports fan and would like to hide those kinds of discussions, you can simply type in all the keywords related to the sport in question.
Secondly, users can now mute notifications on their own posts, which is rather useful for highly engaging posts:
To find the toggles for the first feature, simply navigate to the ‘Hidden Words’ section under the main app settings. On the other hand, the second feature is available per post.
Threads testing auto post-archiving feature
When Mosseri initially announced his team was considering adding an auto-archive feature for Threads’ posts, the public wasn’t too pleased about it.
They’ll be less than happy to hear that the platform is going ahead with its plans and is testing this type of feature with a select group of users.
As you can see from the current interface, users can either archive their posts immediately or allow them to be archived after a user-defined time period:
To appease the public, Threads is making this an optional feature instead of the default one. Plus, Mosseri says that users can always unarchive their posts after the fact
Threads monthly active users have reached 150 million
The latest user numbers showcase a significant milestone for Threads: it has surpassed 150 million monthly active users, according to Meta.
This is great news for the social media sphere since Elon Musk and X are catering to users who prefer political dialogue, and there’s a whole section of modern consumers who want an online place to discuss everything else.
As per Meta’s words, Threads aims to become a “positive and creative space” where people can simply express their ideas and passions about everyday topics
Theads is finally testing a ‘Recent’ search filter
By popular demand, Meta is finally testing a ‘Recent’ filter in its Threads app, which will allow users to check out the most recent posts for a certain topic.
As revealed by users who received the update and confirmed by Mosseri, Threads has offered this feature to a limited number of users as they first want to collect all the feedback they can before adding it permanently next to the ‘Top’ search filter:
At the end of the day, this kind of update is much needed since Threads is attempting to position itself as a legitimate alternative to Twitter.
Threads testing Topic Highlights on its Trending Topics page
Threads recently launched their Trending Topics feature test, and is now expanding on the feature by adding a ‘Topic Highlight’ feature that will be added on top of the ‘Trending now’ list:
By doing so, Threads is hoping to boost real-time engagement on the platform and get more user posts on topical events happening right now.
That said, users shouldn’t expect to see breaking news and politics trending in the app as Adam Mosseri, Threads’s chief, has reiterated that the platform is not following Twitter’s path in that regard.
Threads users will finally be able to DM other users
As revealed by certain users, Meta is testing a new DM feature on Threads, which can be accessed via a new “Message” button on people’s Threads profiles.
That said, as you can see from the screenshot, while you can send messages, the feature will reuse Instagram’s messaging feature instead of a new standalone Threads messaging one.
Nonetheless, the functionality is the same: you’ll be able to contact other Threads users.
Threads API released the documentation for June
While waiting in anticipation for the launch of the Threads API in June, 2024, the platform’s users (especially brands and companies) have just gotten access to the Threads API documentation, which will prepare them for the imminent launch of this much-needed functionality.
When it launches, the API access will allow third-party platforms to connect to Threads and offer their posting and scheduling services to other users and brands, which will make their social media strategy on this platform much easier.
Plus, real-time notifications are also coming and will further expand the management functionality social media managers who will have an easier time building their Threads presence and community and get all the insights they need to see if their strategy is working.
New Threads Features March 2024
Sports Score Updates on Threads Miss a Crucial Detail
Zuckerberg has recently announced that the Threads team has launched a ‘Live Sports Scores’ feature starting with NBA.
This change is an effort to capture the attention of certain Twitter users who utilize Musk’s platform to follow their favorite sports teams and events.
Check out how the UI will show you the most up-to-date score when you search for your favorite team on Threads:
Then, you can tap on the team logo to get additional information, such as their most recent scores and upcoming matches.
Threads with native GIF search and web posting features
Meta continues adding features to Threads with an expanded GIF functionality and the option to post via the website version of Threads.
While it’s not a major update, it’s still a quality of life change that will help users utilize the platform’s full functionality even if they are in front of a computer.
For instance, prior to the change, users could still attach GIFs but they had to manually upload them as images.
Side-Swiping Feature to Show Interest in Feed Posts on Threads
Prompted by users’ requests to improve the platform’s post recommendations, Threads is finally introducing a swipe feature to like or dislike certain types of content:
If you swipe right, you tell the algorithm that you prefer seeing more of that type of posts, whereas left indicates your lack of interest.
This feature is set to further differentiate Threads from Instagram since its algorithm is still based on its parent platform.
Threads fedeverse sharing
Threads is testing a functionality for users to be able to share in the Fediverse.
Fediverse short for federated universe, is an open, decentralized social media network and is a concept of integrating social media networks to allow users from any network to share posts and followers easily and without limits.
This means that Threads users from certain countries will now be able to post and get likes from people from other social media networks who will see their Threads posts.
For now, Threads won’t show you replies to your federated posts or who followed you on other servers.
To activate sharing in the Fediverse, just go to Account settings and tap on Fediverse sharing.
Threads’ Trending Topics Feature is Live for all U.S. Users
After a month-long test, Threads has finally pushed out the live update for their latest ‘Trending Topics’ feature for all users in the U.S.
The platform will offer you these trending topics in two places: within the ‘Search’ tab and in your main feed, such as here:
Meta has included a few minor tweaks in this live version. For instance, there’s a new title: “Trending now”, which replaces “Today’s topics”.
In-stream camera and drafts finally available for all Threads users
Instagram chief Adam Mosseri, has announced on Threads that his team has finalized the testing of two of the latest additions to the Threads platform: saving drafts and the in-app camera feature:
Using either feature is extremely straightforward. For instance, if you want to save a draft of a new post, you simply have to exit out of your post. To get back to it, you simply have to click on the ‘Compose’ button again.
As for the in-app photo feature, you can see a little camera button whenever you are starting a new Thread or responding to an existing Thread.
Here’s an illustration of both features:
Threads launching API for posts scheduling
Some happy news for all social media managers out there: Threads has finally granted limited API access to a select group of partners, which initially allows them to provide scheduling of Threads posts on ther platforms.
This first-stage testing allows users to rely on third-party tools to publish and authenticate the content they post. That said, they’ll be able to moderate the replies they receive and get crucial analytics to evaluate their strategies soon enough.
However, while modern businesses and publishers are expected to benefit from this long-awaited addition, there are also some risks to avoid, including bad actors like spammers and scammers, which are prevalent on X.
Instagram chief Adam Mosseri asks the public about auto-archiving Threads posts
The topic of whether or not social media posts should auto-delete after a certain time period has been reignited recently after Instagram chief Mosseri asked the public on Threads whether or not they should implement an auto-archive on the platform:
Mosseri posted the poll after a recent Korea trip, where he observed Threads users sharing genuine and unfiltered content. That said, Mosseri has previously expressed support for the feature but they haven’t done anything about it since some users prefer to keep a record of their activities on social media.
On the other hand, there’s something to be said about privacy, which is the younger audience driving such trends as they don’t want their social media posts to come back and haunt them in the future. Therefore, the auto-archive feature is supposed to encourage these user groups to post more on Threads.
New Threads Features February 2024
Threads is testing out its in-stream camera and post draft features publicly
After internally testing out the ‘post drafts’ feature, Threads has initiated a live test in selected regions. Users have noticed the new feature popping up when they try to discard a new post. After saving the draft, they can then access it once again via the compose button.
This was announced by Mark Zuckerberg, who already shared a photo with the new Threads camera:
Additionally, Threads has added a new camera feature that allows you to take only still photos while commenting on any post. However, users can only take one photo as of right now.
Meta is connecting Facebook to Threads via cross-posts
Recently, certain Facebook users have started being prompted to share their Facebook updates to Threads via a new toggle, as you can see from this screenshot:
According to Meta, this option will only apply to links and text posts, and is currently only being tested in the U.S. on iOS devices.
However, while the update is meant to help your content reach a greater audience, some users have been asking the community on social media whether that result is even desirable.
That said, Meta is still implementing their overall content cross-pollination strategy across most of their platforms so it gets the most out of user-shared content.
Threads is testing out its in-stream camera and post draft features publicly
After internally testing out the ‘post drafts’ feature, Threads has initiated a live test in selected regions. Users have noticed the new feature popping up when they try to discard a new post. After saving the draft, they can then access it once again via the compose button.
Additionally, Threads has added a new camera feature that allows you to take only still photos while commenting on any post. However, users can only take one photo as of right now.
Threads trending topics are in testing for U.S.
After managing to limit political discourse on Threads, Meta has started implementing trending topics, which would otherwise get drowned out by divisive and often factually incorrect political content.
As announced by Mark Zuckerberg a few days ago, they’ve started testing out trending topics to selected U.S. users with the goal of ironing out its functionality before releasing it worldwide.
Called ‘Today’s Topics’ this new feature is expected to offer a new level of engagement to Threads’ users as it incentivizes them to interact with the broader community.
One thing to remember is that Meta is relying on emerging AI technologies to determine these trending topics and that users can customize the algorithm to suit their needs.
Threads fact-checking feature coming soon
Since social media is about to be swamped with political discourse in 2024 as it’s a presidential election year, Meta wants to get ahead of the curve and introduce fact-checking to Threads.
Similar to how fact-checking is done on Facebook and Instagram with the help of independent fact-checkers, Meta knows that political discussion will make it to Threads despite the company’s efforts to keep it away.
Fact-checking on platforms like Threads is seen as crucial for countering misinformation, with previous studies highlighting its effectiveness in reducing the sharing of false news.
New option to save posts is coming to Threads
Threads is introducing a “Save” feature, allowing users to bookmark posts, a move towards enhancing user experience and aligning with the functionalities of other social platforms like Instagram—another feature to bring it to par with Twitter.
Users can access this feature from the three dots menu on any post on Threads. Then, they can find these saved posts in their profile menu options, just like on Instagram.
Meta tells us how Threads’ algorithms really work
Threads, now boasting 130 million active users, presents a mixed bag for brands testing engagement, with its community feeling sparse and content discovery algorithms showing inconsistency.
Meta’s insight into the Threads algorithm reveals key visibility factors:
- user interactions (likes, replies, follows),
- the number of posts viewed,
- recent activity,
- profile views.
These factors aim to tailor the content display to user preferences, although the impact of the Instagram activity on the Threads experience remains questionable.
Users can influence their Threads feed by interacting with content or hiding posts, signaling their preferences to the algorithm.
Threads will implement recommendations to deprioritize political discourse
Instagram and Threads are updating their recommendation systems to limit political content, aiming to reduce divisive debates for users.
This initiative, announced by Adam Mosseri, will avoid amplifying political content from non-followed accounts, introducing an opt-in feature for those interested in political recommendations.
This strategy aligns with Meta’s broader goal to enhance the user experience by focusing on non-political, entertainment content, following previous efforts to reduce political content after social media criticism for fostering division.
However, while effective on Instagram and Facebook, applying this approach to Threads, aimed as a real-time discussion platform, raises questions about its potential to fully serve its intended purpose.
Threads surpass 130 million users with a steady growth pace
Meta’s Twitter alternative, Threads, is experiencing a notable increase in user engagement.
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, during the Q4 2023 earnings announcement, reported that Threads has reached 130 million monthly active users, surpassing its initial launch peak.
This growth aligns with expectations, especially after Threads expanded to EU users in December, which was predicted to contribute significantly to the user count.
This steady growth trajectory of Threads suggests it’s on its way to becoming a major platform in the social media landscape.
Threads will get a ‘Trending Topics’ feature in near future
Threads is set to introduce a Trending Topics feature, but Instagram’s chief, Adam Mosseri, expresses reservations about its importance and the impact of similar functionalities.
Mosseri acknowledged that his team is looking to incorporate trending topics and other popularly requested features into the app but they are not currently a top priority for them.
Instagram Threads App Features January 2024
Threads reported problems with irrelevant recommendations
Threads users have recently reported seeing more irrelevant recommendations in their “For You” feed. Well, according to Mosseri, the Threads team is working to show fewer low-quality content recommendations.
“We want people to have a positive experience on Threads and we’ve actually had some issues over the last few weeks with low quality recommendations – things that don’t quite violate a community guidelines (which is when we take them down entirely), but the ones that kind of go right up to that line.
So we’re working on improving it.
A lot of it should be fixed at this point.
Let me know if you’re not seeing that, but there’s a lot more work to do.”
Adam Mosseri
Ultimately, the algorithm is supposed to show more relevant content and maximize its retention and engagement.
Per an older interview by Zuckerberg, fixing this type of issue is important to keep the quality of public discourse high by eliminating controversial and factually baseless content.
The system used by Meta to deal with such an issue is de-amplification of the content once it reaches a certain level of sensationalism. Therefore, provocative content will get more effective the more engagement it gets.
Instagram Threads App Features December 2023
Threads is launching something big: A timer on their website
After a few days of anticipation and this big timer on the Threads.net website, the app is finally live and running for users in the EU.
If you are new and need to learn about the Threads features, feel free to browse below for all the interesting ways you can build community on Threads.
Link referrer for Threads: l.threads.net
As recently reported by Instagram’s chief Adam Mosseri on Threads, his team is adding a dedicated Threads domain.
Social media managers and web admins will certainly breathe a sigh of relief as this small change will make their jobs much easier.
After all, this new feature simplifies tracking referral traffic from Threads posts. Meaning, users can easily view specific referral traffic insights within their preferred analytics application.
At the end of the day, these professionals need to know how much their Threads strategy is paying off, which this dedicated URL helps with.
This update is also a precursor to the eventual release of a full API for Threads, promising expanded functionalities such as post-scheduling.
Threads’ latest update: Introducing Topic Tags
Threads has recently updated its platform with a new tagging feature that expands the traditional hashtag concept. This update allows users to tag their threads using phrases, not just single words, offering a more versatile way to categorize and participate in discussions. Here is the announcement by Adam Mosseri:
The key difference in Threads’ new tagging topics system is its allowance for phrase-based tags. This means users can use multi-word expressions like “remote work strategies” or “healthy meal prep” to tag their discussions. This change is a significant shift from the typical single-word, no-space hashtags you might be used to.
Differences between traditional hashtags and threads’ tags
- Phrase usage: Threads’ tags can include spaces, allowing for more descriptive and conversational tagging.
- Contextual depth: These phrase tags offer more context, which can make finding specific conversations easier and more intuitive.
- Improved Search Functionality: By using phrases, users can more accurately locate discussions relevant to their interests or needs.
User advantages
- Enhanced organization: This feature helps in categorizing conversations more effectively, making it easier for users to track and engage in topics of interest.
- Targeted engagement: With more descriptive tags, users can find and participate in discussions that are more closely aligned with their interests.
How to use the new tagging feature
- Creating a topic: When you create or respond to a thread, simply click on the # icon and type out your phrase, and it will automatically be recognized as a tag.
- Searching tags: To find threads under a specific tag, enter the phrase in the search bar, and Threads will display relevant conversations.
Threads unveils keyword search
In a significant update that promises to redefine user interaction, the Threads app has rolled out a new feature enabling users to search for threads using keywords. This latest enhancement is set to transform the way users engage with the app, offering a more streamlined and efficient browsing experience.
The introduction of keyword search marks a pivotal shift in the app’s functionality. Users can now effortlessly locate specific threads by simply typing in relevant keywords.
This feature is a boon for those seeking to quickly access particular discussions or topics, eliminating the need for time-consuming scrolling through numerous threads.
Threads set to launch in the European Union in December 2023
Finaly, Adam announced the great news – Threads is launching in. EU this December.
This expansion represents a strategic move by Meta, as the EU is a critical market for the growth of Threads, especially as the timing for overcoming the competition is perfect – keeping in mind the meltdown of X and its advertising revenue.
Previously, Threads was available globally, but the EU’s stringent online service regulations presented a unique challenge for its launch in this region.
Instagram Threads App Features November 2023
Voice threads
As Adam Mosseri, announced, there are new options this month, and voice threads are one of them. People now can tell stories in a more teacher way.
When a user wants to post a thread reply just tap the microphone icon and record what you want to say. The coolest thing about this feature is that the system will automatically transcribe what you are saying, and you can post the voice and the text of the transcript.
Cool right?
Edit button
Finally, for all users who want to correct their spelling, once they quickly post a thread, they will be able to click on an edit icon and correct the text within the first few minutes.
More features on Threads
Threads continues to improve its web interface to bring it up to parity with X.
In a recent Threads post, Mosseri outlined several upgrades to the platform:
- You can now add and edit alt text on the videos and images they post on the desktop.
- You can now drag and drop or copy and paste media attachments to your posts.
- You can now see all the quotes and reposts of threads by clicking on ‘likes’.
- You can now add multiple posts to your thread post before publishing it.
All these updates aim to add crucial functionality to Threads as it looks to gain more ground on X, formerly known as Twitter. (edited)
Instagram Threads App Features August 2023
Here’s what’s new in the Threads app:
Threads Search is Coming soon
The Threads team is testing a new keyword search feature in Australia and New Zealand.
This will allow users to find posts about specific topics by simply typing in the keywords.
For example, if you are interested in learning more about cooking, you could type in the keywords “cooking” or “recipes” to see posts about those topics.
So, if you are based in Australia or New Zealand, you might be able to try this new search feature.
Threads.net is live on the web
The new desktop look for Threads is now available, and it includes a number of changes that make it more user-friendly and functional. Here are some of the key differences:
- The navigation bar has been moved to the top of the page, making it easier to find the different features of Threads.
- The For You and Following feeds have been combined into a single feed, making it easier to see your Threads activity in one place.
- You can now like, comment, and share Threads posts from the desktop.
- There is a new mention button that makes it easy to tag other users in your Threads posts.
- You can now add custom alt text to your Threads posts, making them more accessible to visually impaired people.
These changes make Threads more similar to the mobile app, making it easier for users to connect with their friends and family on the desktop.
Here are some of the benefits of the new desktop look for Threads:
- It is more user-friendly and accessible. The new navigation bar and the combined feed make finding what you are looking for easier. The mention button and the ability to add custom alt text make Threads more accessible to people with disabilities.
- It is more functional. The ability to like, comment, and share Threads posts from the desktop makes interacting with your friends and family easier.
- It is more consistent with the mobile app. The new look and feel of the desktop app makes it more consistent with the mobile app, making it easier to switch between devices.
Overall, the new desktop look for Threads is a welcome improvement that makes the app more user-friendly and functional.
Share threads in Instagram DMs
This is a great option to share threads to your Instagram friends. To do this, just tap the share button of the thread you want to share, and you’ll now see “Send on Instagram” option. You will be redirected to the Share link screen in Instagram, where you can choose which person you want to send the thread to.
See all the threads you’ve liked
head to your profile, go to settings, and select “Your likes”
Sort the accounts you follow
To do this, go to your profile, tap your followers, head to following, and tap “Sort.”
Add custom alt-text
When attaching your image/video, you now have the option “Alt text,” where you can write the alt of the image or video. Useful for search and accessibility.
Rel=me links
They also rolled out Threads support for rel=me links to help you verify your identity on platforms like Mastodon. You can now add your Threads profile link on supported platforms to verify your identity. These are meaningful steps towards adopting open standards and the fediverse.
Instagram Threads App Features July 2023
Search for topics and hashtags – coming soon
As Mosseri announced, the team plans to introduce a more robust search function, making it easier for users to follow topics and trends in real time. This will enhance the user experience by making navigating the app easier and staying updated on the latest trends. Furthermore, the app will include options to:
- Switch to multiple accounts,
- Post search,
- Hashtags,
- Web presence,
- Ability to see everything that you’ve liked in one place
- Translations,
- and many, many, many more things.
Chronological feed – coming soon
Threads is continuously evolving, with plans to add several new features. These include improved recommendations in the feed, which will make it easier for users to discover new content that aligns with their interests.
Sharing short messages and updates
Threads are designed to facilitate real-time updates and public conversations. It allows users to create posts that can be up to 500 characters long. These posts can include various forms of media, such as links, photos, and videos. The videos can be up to 5 minutes in length, providing ample time for users to share engaging content. This feature enhances the versatility of the app, making it a comprehensive platform for sharing and communication.
Decide who can reply to your thread
In Threads, you can decide who can actually reply to your thread.
To do this, at the bottom left, you’ll see the text anyone can reply to, and if you tap on that, you can change from Anyone to the Profiles you follow.
And you can even change it to Mentioned only because sometimes you want to keep the conversation tight in order to keep it simple.
Shortcut to a new thread
If you hit return three times in the composer, the app will automatically start an additional post, so you’ll have a thread right there in line and continue making productive conversations.
Quick follow
Now, the whole point is to help you find amazing things that you’re interested in on threads. And as you go through it, you’ll see that there’ll be some posts from accounts you follow and some posts that we call recommendations from accounts you don’t follow.
But if you see something from someone you want to keep seeing, you can decide actually to follow them right there in line.
Just tap on their avatar, and in the small popover, tap Follow.
Share in the Instagram app
The Threads app integrates deeply with Instagram. There are quick options to share your Threads post from your Threads account to your Instagram profile. To do this, tap the Share icon below the post you want to share, and choose ‘Add to story’, ‘Post to feed,’ or even ‘Tweet’ to share the post on Twitter too. By doing this, users gain diverse and interconnected networks at the same time.
It is important to note that users can also share content on their Instagram accounts using the same options on the posts of their favorite creators.
Instagram account login
Threads integrate seamlessly with Instagram, and as mentioned above, if you have an Instagram account, you can connect directly and join Threads with literally one click.
Users can log into Threads using their Instagram account, ensuring a smooth transition between the two platforms. The username and verification status from the user’s Instagram account will carry over to Threads.
Additionally, users have the option to customize their profile specifically for Threads, allowing for a personalized user experience. And finally, they can select to follow all their Instagram followers and instantly get a follow back and an initial number of followers on the Threads app too.
Quick mute and hide content from other people
As Threads shows not only the post from people you follow on Instagram but also provides recommendations of posts from the people, you might want to control this and hide the content from people that Threads recommends.
To do this, use the three-dot menu for the person in the top right of the post; you want to stop seeing in your feed.
In the same screen, you will be able to Hide, Block, or Report the account.
Make a private profile on Threads
If you don’t want to have a public profile on Threads, you can tap on the profile icon and, in the menu, toggle on the option to switch to a Private profile.
Hidden words
Threads prioritize user safety and privacy. It offers a range of controls that allow users to manage their interactions within the app.
To access privacy settings on the Threads app, tap on the bottom right profile icon and go through the available settings. Here you will find the option Hidden words.
The “Hidden Words” feature in Instagram’s Threads app is a powerful tool designed to enhance user experience and promote positive interactions. This feature allows users to create a list of specific words or phrases that they wish to filter out from their Threads conversations.
When a word or phrase from the user’s “Hidden Words” list appears in a reply or mention, Threads automatically filters it out. This means that the user won’t see any content containing those specific words or phrases, providing a more personalized and comfortable social media experience.
This feature is particularly useful for combating online harassment, hate speech, and spam. By enabling users to filter out offensive or unwanted content, Threads empowers users to take control of their online interactions and create a safer, more positive social media environment.
Moreover, the “Hidden Words” feature can also be used to avoid spoilers or unwanted information about specific topics. For instance, if a user doesn’t want to see any content related to a newly released movie or a trending event, they can add relevant keywords to their “Hidden Words” list.
Interoperability with Other Networks
Threads are designed to be compatible with other Fediverse social networking platforms like Mestodon.
The app plans to work with ActivityPub, an open social networking protocol, to allow users to stop using Threads and transfer their content to another service. This means that posts made on Threads could potentially be accessible from other apps, expanding the user’s reach without any additional effort.
What is Instagram Threads?
According to Instagram Head Adam Mosseri:
Threads ?, a new app from Instagram is here. Threads is for public conversations. We’re hoping to bring some of what we’ve built for photos and videos on Instagram to Threads with text. Now the idea is there’s an amazing community on Instagram and wonderful creators. We want to create a space where they can engage in public conversations that is friendly and that is open. And so we’re going to bring a lot of the good tools from Instagram to Threads, things like hidden words and Restrict, which allow you to shake the experience into something.
What is Threads.net?
As much as people love joining public conversations, it is important to note that one of the main capabilities of the app is the ability to move followers to another platform. As advertised, the Instagram team is working to integrate Activity Protocol, which is the same technology behind the Mastodon server and network, a decentralized social network now. And according to Mosseri, they believe that allowing users to move followers to other platforms is very important:
If you’re a creator, you should own your audience, and integrating into this protocol should allow us to enable you to take your followers with you to another server or app, should you so choose in the future. And we think that that would be incredibly important to offer the Crater community that’s we’re working on that and a number of other features to try to improve threads as quickly as we can. Let me know what you think down below in the comments and what features you’d like to see. There’s a lot more to come really soon. Thanks so much.
Signing up for Threads
Signing up for Threads is a straightforward process; users can sign up with the same usernames as on Instagram. You can sign up for Threads through your Instagram account. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
Download the Threads app from the App Store or Google Play Store. or go to the Threads.net website and scan the QR code.
Open the app and tap on ‘Continue as [Your Instagram Username]’.
If you’re logged into multiple Instagram accounts, choose the account you want to use with Threads.
You’ll then be asked to choose the friends you want to add to Threads. You can select from your existing Instagram close friends list or choose a custom list.
Once you’ve selected your friends, tap ‘Done,’ and you’re all set to use Threads.
Your Instagram username, password, and account name will remain the same in Threads. This seamless integration allows for a smooth transition between the two platforms.
Availability of Threads
Threads is a global app available in more than 100 countries and supports more than 30 languages. This wide availability makes it accessible to a diverse user base across the world. With its unique features and integration with Instagram, Threads has significant potential for growth. Its user base is expected to expand as more people discover its benefits and convenience. In its first days, it reached 100 million sign-ups, which is still unavailable in the European Union due to regulation challenges.
Threads vs. Twitter
While both social media platforms, Threads and Twitter, offer different experiences. Threads is a camera-first messaging app allowing you to share photos, videos, and messages with your close friends on Instagram. On the other hand, Twitter is a platform that focuses on public conversation and real-time updates.
One of the unique features of Threads is its integration with Instagram. You can share your Threads posts directly to your Instagram Stories, allowing you to reach a wider audience. This feature is not available on Twitter.
However, it’s important to note that Threads is a relatively new platform, and it’s still growing. While it could pose a threat to Twitter due to its unique features and integration with Instagram, it’s too early to predict its impact as a Twitter competitor and its user base.
Challenges for Threads
Like any social media platform, Threads faces several challenges. These include preventing spam, harassment, conspiracy theories, and false claims. Ensuring user safety and maintaining the integrity of the platform is crucial for Threads. The platform needs to continuously update and improve its safety measures to tackle these challenges.
Threads also need to enforce its community guidelines and take strict action against those who violate them.
Conclusion- What to expect from the Instagram Threads app
Threads is the new Instagram’s text-based conversation app with the goal of enabling positive public debates directly competing with Twitter. From its initial launch, the users have truly engaged in text-based messages, and Threads has become a very serious social platform.
It is built on ActivityPub, a protocol that will allow users to move their followers if they want to on another platform, making a bigger step toward creating interoperable social networks.
Whether you’re a content creator, a social media enthusiast, or someone looking for a new way to connect with others, Instagram’s Threads app holds exciting possibilities. As we continue exploring and adapting to this new platform, one thing is certain: Threads is a game-changer, and we’re just beginning this exciting journey.
And finally, Instagram’s Threads app presents marketers with a unique opportunity to tap into user-generated content, fostering more authentic engagement, building stronger communities, and gaining valuable consumer insights.
FYI: You can automatically embed an Instagram widget with a social media aggregator, bringing your website to life with fresh content.
Display your Instagram feed on your website automatically!
Generate and embed Instagram widget with your feed, mentions, or hashtags directly to your website.
FAQ about Threads
Threads is similar to a messaging app but for public conversations. Users can use the same accounts as on Instagram and actually use the Threads app as a spin-off from their Instagram usage to start and engage more in text-based conversations.
Yes. It is a direct Twitter competitor, and as Threads users have significantly increased since its launch, it might completely change the social media landscape and become the most used text-based conversation app and space to discover what’ll be trending tomorrow.
Yes. Instagram’s Threads app is available as a separate new app on the Google play store. Download Threads for Android >
Yes, Threads is available in Apple’s app store. Download Threads for iPhone >
The Fediverse is a decentralized network of platforms that communicate with each other via an open protocol. Platforms in the Fediverse use various protocols, the most common of which is ActivityPub. Other protocols include OStatus, Zot, and Diaspora. These protocols allow different platforms to communicate with each other, creating a network of interconnected services. Threads.net is one of the platforms in the Fediverse.
