Threads, what if Instagram tried to be Twitter?

The thread that connects the Metaverse to the Twitterverse. Well, it’s finally here! Meta officially released their Twitter competitor for microblogging(?) on the 5th of July, dubbed “Threads.” Although there’s no web version yet, users can find the app on the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store.

Interestingly, you would need an Instagram account to be able to join Threads. Though, that hasn’t stopped people from flocking to the new app. As of now, Threads has recorded over 50 million signups in less than 24 hours. 

However, prior to launch, Meta has been rather low-key about the whole thing until a few days ago when the teasers started to take over the headlines. Threads.net even had a countdown running with an invitation to pre-order the app and searching “threads” on Instagram gave you an easter egg with a customized animated ticket. In any case, the timing of the release would suggest that Zuckerberg was looking to capitalize on Twitter’s ongoing turmoil.

So now that we have the app on our hands, let’s see how Threads compare to the legacy platform that it’s trying to take on.

Right off the bat, if you’ve been a long-time Twitter user you will be greeted with an almost identical interface, albeit a much cleaner, and look and feel. While it shares the essentials of Twitter, the look and feel borrow a lot of similarities to that of Instagram as well. This is partly because Threads is meant as a spinoff/text-based version of Instagram. Hence the navigation and UI elements that have linked to the platform. One could even say it’s tied to Instagram by a thread (I’m so sorry).

Character Limits

Back in 2006, Twitter started off with 140 characters because it was initially an SMS-based platform, and eventually brought up the character limit to 280. Post-Elon Musk acquisition, Twitter Blue subscribers have up to 1000 characters to voice their hot takes.

Threads on the other hand have 500 characters, similar to Mastodon which might be another platform it could be integrated with in the future (fediverse).

10 images/videos per post, not no GIFs

Twitter allows its users to upload a mix of four images, videos, and GIFs per tweet. Threads is taking its parent app’s approach and lets you upload a mix of 10 images and videos and display them as a carousel.

GIFs aren’t something that’s available on Threads at the moment, which seems to be a point of contention for some users. Oddly even when someone uploads a GIF the notification shows as “replied with a video” text.

Fediverse Integration

For the uninitiated, The fediverse is a decentralized social network consisting of interconnected servers running different software platforms. It allows users to interact with each other across various platforms while maintaining control over their data and identities.

Threads opening splash screen promises fediverse integration in the future, which means that users from other servers would also be able to interact with Threads.

“Our vision is that Threads will enable you to communicate with people on other fediverse platforms we don’t own or control. This means that your Threads profile can follow and be followed by people using different servers on the fediverse. Your content and information may be shared with those servers.” Here is the full official statement from Instagram on the matter.

Hide Likes

One of the notable features of Threads is that it allows you to hide the like count of a post, a feature imported directly from Instagram. Twitter does not have this or a similar feature. However, Twitter does have the ability to report tweets, 2-factor authentication, and other privacy and security functions that Threads currently lack.

No #Hashtags (yet)

One of the features that has defined Twitter was hashtags, the ability to group tweets under the same… come on you know what a hashtag is. Well, Threads don’t give you the ability to see similar posts under the same word/frame. 

Thankfully, Meta seems to be working on adding the functionality to the platform. The head of Instagram, Adam Mosseri mentioned hashtags, along with search, a following feed, graph syncing, fediverse support, and messaging as currently missing features. He went on to say that they are in the process of bringing them to Threads.

Accessibility Features?

Twitter over time has introduced features such as alt text for images, Closed Captioning for videos, text size, and display settings, VoiceOver Support (iOS), High Contrast Mode, Keyboard Navigation, along with dyslexia-friendly text to make the platform more accessible to people with disabilities.

Looks like Threads is holding back on the accessibility features for the time being (hopefully).

Button placement

This is just an aesthetic difference but if you are coming from Twitter you might have to get used to the difference in the like, reply, repost, and share buttons.

You might be hitting the like button looking to reply to a post or reply trying to repost. So give your fingers and your brain a bit of time for that muscle memory to kick in while you get used to the new placements.

Speaking of aesthetics, another minor visual difference can be seen when you reply to a post there’s a little loop design to show the reply thread.

Where will Threads go?

Overall, Threads seems to be a solid alternative to Twitter, at least while the hype lasts. 

From a software point of view, it seems to be smooth and stable enough to accommodate millions of users signing up at once.

Just on day one itself, Threads recorded an influx of 50 million plus signups ( 10 million in just 7 hours) which is a record number for a tech platform. It would be interesting to see what Threads does to keep the flames alive if they would at all.

One sneaky trick up Meta’s sleeve seems to be Threads profile being dependent on Instagram. While you can deactivate the Threads profile, if you want to delete the profile you can’t do it without bidding farewell to the attached Instagram account. While this might help Meta retain users to some extent, its daily active user (DAU) numbers will paint a much more accurate picture in the future. 

Given the unfortunate situation conspiring over at the Bird app, and its new owner’s antics, a great many regular members are looking at Threads as a refuge, but then again saviors have come and gone and the Twitter citizens have eventually gone back to their familiar settings.

Like with anything the end goal of an initiative would be a revenue stream, especially when it comes to a social media platform. Threads being another Meta platform will naturally translate to an ad platform primed and ready with millions of users, complete with native ad placements and formats. The eventual introduction of ads and the privacy concerns that come with it could have an impact on the user base and retaining the numbers.

What do you think? Have you used Threads, what are your thoughts? Will Threads stay strong like nylon or snap under the familiar pull of Twitter like twine?