Jul 16, 2023: What is threads? What’s so special about it? How does it compare against its rivals? Read the ReferencePepper!
Since Elon Musk's purchase of Twitter, the platform has witnessed significant changes. Numerous competitors have emerged, aiming to dethrone the social media giant. However, despite the attention by competitors like Bluesky, none have managed to make a significant impact. In contrast, Instagram Threads has rapidly gained popularity, attracting over 10 crore users at an impressive speed, becoming the fastest app to reach that mark surpassing the growth rate of even ChatGPT, which took two months to reach 10 crore users. So, what sets Instagram Threads apart?
What is ‘Threads’?
Threads is a separate app derived from Instagram, which places a stronger emphasis on conversations rather than visual content.
Meta, the parent company of Instagram, has reintroduced an app called Threads. Originally launched in 2019 as a companion to Instagram, the app focused on messaging and sharing updates with "Close friends." However, it was discontinued in December 2021. Now, Threads has made a comeback with a renewed purpose to compete against Twitter.
Users can engage in text-based updates and participate in public discussions. The app's interface resembles the familiar comment section found on Instagram, while incorporating features akin to Twitter, such as the ability to reply to and share posts. This blend of Instagram's familiar design and Twitter's interactive features offers users a unique experience for connecting and engaging in conversations.
A simple sign up process
Instagram Threads has experienced significant initial success primarily due to its simplified sign-up process. Unlike other Twitter competitors, Instead of starting from scratch, Threads makes use of the 2.35 billion users that Instagram has. The key advantage is that users can effortlessly sign up using their existing Instagram accounts, eliminating the need for filling out personal details. Additionally, followers can be imported from instagram to threads and even the bio information can be automatically transferred, making the process even smoother.
To register for Threads, users can easily download the app from either the Apple App Store or Google Play Store in India.
Once downloaded, they simply need to launch the app, select the option to "Log in with Instagram," and then proceed by clicking the "Import from Instagram" button.
When you join Threads, you are assigned a unique ID based on the timing of your registration, which determines your rank within the app. This ID is displayed as a badge under your name or username on your Instagram profile, indicating to your followers that you are an active user of Threads.
You can engage with posts or create your own by tapping the pencil icon at the bottom of the screen.
Many popular Instagram accounts, like Newzpepper, are already available on Threads. Simply search for them and follow if you haven't already. This allows for seamless interaction with your existing followers and favourite Instagram content on the Threads platform.
The reason why Threads already has an upper hand
Instagram Threads is still in its early stages and offers limited features compared to Twitter. While Twitter has a comprehensive search function for exploring tweets and trending topics, Threads currently only allows searching for people to follow. Additionally, you cannot directly send posts to other users through Threads like you can on Instagram. However, it's important to note that Threads is continuously evolving, and it is likely to expand its feature set over time.
The significant advantage that Instagram Threads has over Twitter is its association with Instagram's vast userbase.
This, combined with the growing dissatisfaction with Elon Musk's leadership on Twitter, creates a favourable environment for Threads to thrive.
Although Threads is not the first alternative to Twitter, competing platforms such as Bluesky, Mastodon, and Substack Notes have had to build their user communities from scratch. As a result, these platforms may initially feel empty and less appealing to users accustomed to the lively atmosphere of Twitter. Additionally, the ease of use is a crucial factor for the success of new social media platforms, and Mastodon is often considered too technically advanced for the average user.
In summary, while Threads currently has fewer features compared to Twitter and faces competition from other alternatives, its connection to Instagram's user base and potential for future growth positions it as a promising contender in the evolving social media world.
Terms and conditions, should we be worried?
Instagram's Threads app has raised privacy concerns due to the extensive list of permissions it requires users to grant. The app's App Store listing reveals that it requests access to sensitive information, including "Financial Info" and "Sensitive Info." This raises a significant level of trust that users must place in an app developed by Meta, formerly known as Facebook.
Given Facebook's history of scandals and controversies surrounding user privacy, these concerns are understandable. It highlights the importance of carefully reviewing and considering the permissions before granting access to personal information within the app.
Threads vs Twitter
Here are some key differences between Threads and Twitter:
1. Character Limit: Threads has a 500-character count limit, while unverified Twitter users have a maximum of 280 characters.
2. Verification and Blue Badge: Verified Instagram accounts can retain their blue badge on Threads, whereas Twitter offers this feature for a monthly fee. Meta has not introduced a similar option.
3. Video Length: Threads allows users (including unverified ones) to post videos up to five minutes long, while Twitter restricts non-verified users to videos of two minutes and 20 seconds.
4. Trending Topics and Explore: Twitter's homepage showcases trending topics and personalized recommendations, providing easy access to explore content. Threads, on the other hand, currently relies on scrolling through the home feed to discover content.
5. Content Rules and Controls: Threads follows Instagram's content rules and provides similar controls for muting and blocking harassing accounts.
6. Ads: Threads has launched without ads, aiming to generate excitement around the product. Twitter, on the contrary, includes ads within its platform.
These differences highlight distinct features and functionalities between Threads and Twitter, providing users with unique experiences on each platform.
