Threads is X’s real alternative and has even surpassed the latter in active daily users. So, creators, brands, and businesses should stay in touch with everything that’s happening with it!
For that reason, I’ll use this page to track all new Threads features released from January 2026 to December 2026, including updates to posting formats, discovery, moderation, analytics, and broader Meta platform changes that directly impact Threads.
I’ll log every update as it happens, with context on what changed, who it affects, and why it matters. Remember: Threads rewards speed and outdated strategies fade fast.
Keep on reading to find the Threads new features that you want and need!
Check out our previous editions:
How to get the latest Threads features in 2026?
Threads rolls out features unevenly. These practices help you stay ahead of the curve.
- Update Threads and Instagram together—many Threads features are tied to Instagram releases;
- Enable notifications for Meta product updates—Threads changes often follow Meta-wide announcements;
- Switch to a professional profile—brands and creators get priority access to new Threads tools;
- Test new posting formats early—early adopters benefit from algorithmic boosts;
- Track Meta-wide changes, not just Threads—policy and AI updates often affect reach indirectly;
- Use monitoring tools like EmbedSocial—our social listening platform helps track Threads updates, content performance, and Meta ecosystem changes in one place.
On Threads, timing is a lever your brand uses. It’s not optional.
New Threads features: March 2026
AI shopping chatbot coming to Meta platforms
Meta is banking hard on its AI tech to support its users, with the latest feature being a commercial AI chatbot that will help users do product/service research within its AI chat interface.
The idea is for users to quickly find the products they need at the best prices via a simple carousel interface of recommended products.
The captions under the images will, naturally, include all the relevant data about the product, brand, and price.
New Threads community for social media managers
Social media managers will now have a much easier time on Threads, as the platform has released a separate community just for them:
As such, they can now easily share news, findings, discussions, and find professionals for collaborations
Meta showcases the “Vibes” app
Meta is making advances on its standalone “Vibes” app, which will showcase feeds generated by AI. Why? Well, obviously, there’s interest in it. Otherwise, Meta wouldn’t spend resources on a standalone app:
Meta AI chatbot for support has launched
Not like you can get in touch with real human representatives anyway, right? So, they might as well create a better (AI-enhanced) chatbot:
To access it, users will have to navigate to the “Settings” menu and scroll down to the “More info and support” section. Inside, they just have to tap on “Meta AI support assistant” and ask their questions.
Podcasters on Threads now have rich link previews
Podcasters have been getting A LOT of love on Threads lately, with the latest change being a rich link preview of their podcast video clips:
By showcasing short clips, podcasters can more easily lead their viewers to the full episodes. To use it, they just have to add the video clip and attach a link to the full episode to it.
Threads suggested account categorized based on topic
If you want to find “your people” on Threads, i.e., users that post content you are interested in, you can now look at different categories for users based on their posts:
For instance, if you are interested in the Tech Threads community, the platform will give you a carousel of accounts under said tag.
New Threads features: February 2026
Threads streamlines the cross-sharing feature with Instagram
Threads users now have a much easier time sharing their posts to Instagram:
Upon tapping the share button, they’ll be able to add any thread they have directly to their Instagram Story without leaving Threads.
On top of that, they get a preview of how the IG Story will look.
Threads allows users to add podcast links to video posts
This is yet another change to support podcasters on its platform: they can now tap the meatball menu when composing a thread and link to their podcast:
That said, this feature only works for video posts. And only Spotify, Apple, and iHeart links can be added.
Threads now shows image previews of posts in the activity tab
When scrolling through your Threads activity tab, now it’s easier to figure out what a specific thread is about by looking at its image preview:
Threads allows users to fully customize their algorithm
Threads is officially rolling out its “Dear Algo” algorithm tweaker that will allow Anglophone users to refine what they see in their feeds:
To use the feature, users have to type in: “Dear Algo…” and then finish the sentence with what they want to see more or less of.
Meta is working on a standalone app for AI videos
It’s called Vibes, and it will be an evolution of its pre-existing “Vibes” video feed, but now users will only see AI-generated videos.
Think TikTok, but for AI videos only. It’s not my cup of tea, but Meta thinks there’s a market for such a product, so there you go!
Users will be able to pin chats in Threads
Want to keep some Threads chats top of mind (and inbox), like you can on Instagram? Soon, you will be able to:
The workflow is simple: just long-press any of your conversations until the contextual menu pops up and you tap ‘Pin’.
Threads carousels can now be edited
If you’ve been posting carousels on Threads lately, this is for you. Meta has made it easy to rearrange the order of the photos.
Now, you just have to drag and drop individual photos where they want to appear, so you won’t have to re-upload from scratch.
Meta’s Manus AI is here to make business tasks easier
This is for all businesses out there: now you have your own AI work assistant that has been designed to automate everything from generating reports to analyzing your business data.
Called Manus, this AI assistant will uncover new insights for you via research, schedule common tasks, and do anything else you might need:
Meta Business Suite supports Threads on desktop
Meta Business Suite is a necessary app for any business trying to maintain their social media presence across Meta’s platforms.
Now, Meta has added Threads to that app as well, which puts every important social media account under one roof.
Meta is developing an Instagram offshoot app for Instants
These are the disappearing photos you can share with your friends, which are currently located within the DM section. Apparently, this form of raw, unedited photos has become a hit, so Instagram is looking into creating a separate app just for them:
Threads is making it easier for people to message each other
There’s a new feature in the works: adding a short “DM me” or “Message me” text that opens up the DM section for that specific Threads user:
Meta’s Creator Marketplace is getting upgraded
Both brands and creators will benefit from these latest changes, as they will be able to establish better partnerships more easily.
First of all, all businesses around the world will be able to access the Creator Marketplace. Then, high-performing creators will be recognizable via specific badges, and brands will also see which creators are a fit for them. Brands will also be able to find similar creators and compare them.
Threads has reached ad-ready status
Huge news for brands! Due to Threads’ recent surge in popularity (predicted to surpass X), Meta has decided that it’s time to start rolling out ads to all users globally.
Meta will be adding several different ad formats:
- Image ads featuring prominently in your feed
- Video ads that can be zoomed in on
- Carousel photos showcasing products
- Advantage+ Catalog ads
- App ads you can access right away
Threads has an improved post markup feature
Highlighting text is now linear, instead of scattered, and there’s a magnifying glass showcasing exactly which characters you are highlighting:
This is one more little update, but with so many new updates coming each week, Threads will soon offer everything (and more) that X does!
New Threads features: January 2026
Threads is improving the podcast experience
If you are a podcaster trying to make it on Threads, you’ve just gotten a new feature: upload short clips from your episodes into your feed.
Brands and businesses will have an easier time protecting their content on Meta
Meta Rights Manager will soon implement advanced copyright management support on its platforms that will help you protect your content:
That way, brands and businesses can protect all their pages, profiles, and channels across Meta’s ecosystem from copyright infringements.
Threads will soon surpass X’s userbase numbers
The social media community is expecting Threads to surpass X as the most used chat-based social media platform in 2026.
Some recent reports also showcase that this is already happening, with Threads edging out X in daily mobile users, such as the latest data from Similarweb:
Games in Threads DMs? Yes, please
To motivate its users to use the DM system more, Threads is implementing various games in its chats:
In addition to replacing everything X has to offer, Threads is evidently trying to add additional features that will make it a more appealing alternative.
Live chat to Threads communities is coming
To make the Threads communities feature better, the team behind it is adding a ‘Live Chat’ option:
Moderators can set a name, photo, and start and end dates for the ‘Live Chat’ session. Plus, they can choose who can participate in the chat.
Mysterious new attachment option coming to Threads
This is a feature that either proves useful or will be a gimmick. However, I still don’t know what it does:
As you can see, the feature looks like a jigsaw piece, and it can be added via the new thread composer. If I had to guess, I would say it’s a way to connect multiple posts together. But, we’ll see.
Import your X followers to Threads
I think this is the perfect timing for a feature like this since Threads is making huge strides in surpassing X in functionality and appeal.
Users can now easily import all their friends from X as well. They just need to navigate to the ‘Followers and invitations’ section and access the corresponding platform. Then, after exporting their X followers, they’ll try to find the same users across Threads as well.
Meta is using AI to translate Reels to a large number of languages
Expanding the reach of users’ Reels means making them understandable across regions and languages, and that’s exactly what Meta is doing for Instagram.
Now, Reels can be automatically translated via Meta AI in 9 additional languages: Bengali, Tamil, Telugu, Marathi, Kannada, and more.
Threads is adding animated stickers to posts
Threads is adding animated stickers to posts
This is one of those fun-to-have features that adds a little bit of whimsy. Animated stickers can now be added to Threads posts:
Threads makes it much easier to preview links
I personally believe this is a crucial feature for ensuring a smooth in-app experience for Threads users. Namely, after tapping a link within Threads, you’ll see the content, but there’ll still be an overlay of the original Threads post at the bottom for quick reactions:
FAQs – New Threads Features 2026
How often does Threads update its features?
Threads updates roll out frequently, often alongside Instagram or broader Meta platform changes, with many updates launching without formal announcements.
Are Threads updates connected to Meta updates?
Yes. Many Threads new features are tied to Meta-wide changes, including AI moderation, content ranking, and cross-platform integrations.
How can brands keep up with Threads changes in 2026?
Brands often rely on external social listening tools like EmbedSocial to track Threads updates, understand performance shifts, and adapt content strategies quickly.
