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On July 5th, 2023, Meta announced the launch of its newest app, Threads, a text-based social media platform. The hype surrounding the introduction of this app was humongous, amplified by the constant advertisement by Meta that had started months before. The inauguration of Threads was recognised as successful right from the start, as it managed to garner more than 150 million downloads from all over the world. This propelled it towards gaining the title of the most accomplished launch in history. The owner of Meta, Mark Zuckerberg, seems to think that this is just the beginning for Threads, as he boldly proclaims, ”Threads could hit 1 billion users”.
It was openly claimed by Meta itself, that Threads was introduced to contend with X (formerly known as Twitter), and surpass it as the most used text-based platform for public conversations. Meta, itself being a major player in the digital industry, seeked to compete against another dominant presence, X, by offering a more intimate and personalized experience. The creation of this app also adds fuel to the very public feud between Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk - the owner of X. In fact, this rivalry is what gave birth to an improved version of X known as Threads, which attracted several dissatisfied X users as well as people looking for a more friendly and inclusive environment.
The features of Threads can be best described as an intriguing mix of Instagram and Facebook on the layout of X with a new twist. This is a common characteristic for all Meta apps: sharing various properties with each other. Initially, Meta had introduced it with an intention of creating an extension of sorts of Instagram. Hence, this is why you need to first have an account on the aforementioned app (although this feature was removed towards the end of 2023), that would link both platforms and therefore sync the data, for example: the people you follow on Instagram will also be followed on Threads automatically. Both these apps share the common goal of focusing on content creators, with the only notable difference being in their interface. This gives the users a sense of familiarity and makes them feel comfortable navigating the app.
Experiences described by users of both the apps point towards Threads having better runway and availability of resources, due to its connection with other Meta apps. However, Threads has yet to match X’s search capabilities and its explore page. On the other hand, Threads supports longer messages than X and remains blissfully ad-free. Although both of these apps have a similar feed and users can interact and make posts, Threads does not allow direct messaging like its competitor does. Threads may take some more time to reach the standards that would satisfy loyal X users.
Threads is predicted to easily overtake Instagram as the most successful social media platform by Meta in the following years. The possibility of this is highlighted by the fact that Threads amassed over ten million users in just the initial seven hours of launch. As compared to the other alternatives to X, like Mastodon and Bluesky, Threads has come the closest to surpassing its competition and is expected to dethrone X from its current position. Most users have described their experience on Threads as satisfactory, and that the app still has the potential to rise. The platform continues to add improvised features to its apps that help ease the workflow for users. Additionally, Threads also took a major step by launching in the European Union, hence adding to its growing user base.
All in all, after observing the views of various critics and viewers, it can be rightfully said that Threads is on its way to becoming the next frequently used app.
