Threads is an application linked to Instagram, which was announced by Meta in October to have approximately two billion monthly active users. The new social media app allows users to create Threads accounts with their Instagram usernames and connect with the people they follow on Instagram. In an Instagram post on Wednesday evening, Zuckerberg said, "Our vision is to take the best parts of Instagram and create a new experience for texting, sharing ideas, and discussing what's on your mind." The timing of Threads' launch comes at a time when Twitter, the most powerful text-based social media app, is in the spotlight with discussions such as the 'temporary restriction decision.' Prior to Elon Musk's acquisition of the platform, Twitter estimated that it had approximately 237.8 million daily active users in 2022. Meta is working to make Threads compatible with ActivityPub, which allows social networks to work together and enables Threads users to take their accounts and followers to other ActivityPub-supported applications.
2- How to Register for Threads? Threads Meta Login
Threads allows you to sign up using your Instagram login information, and all the accounts you already follow on Instagram will be automatically followed on Threads as soon as they join.
The easiest way is to search for 'Threads' in the search bar on Instagram. A button will appear and take you directly to the app.
You can send posts of up to 500 characters and add gifs and videos up to 5 minutes in length.
Threads is very similar to Twitter. Short text-based content, likes, and reposts... It is also possible to quote, similar to tweeting.
3- WHY AM I SEEING POSTS FROM PEOPLE I DON'T FOLLOW?
Threads One of the initial criticisms about Threads is that users are able to see posts from people they don't follow, in addition to the posts from the accounts they follow. Meta stated that the project is a mix of followed accounts and algorithmic recommendations. Currently, there is no way to only see posts from the accounts you follow. Whether there will be an option for this has not been announced yet.
4- CAN I SEND DMs?
Currently, there is no way to directly message other users.
5- CAN THREADS ACCOUNT BE DELETED?
Some users expressed concerns about not being able to delete their Threads profile without deleting their Instagram profile. Meta told the BBC: "Currently, you cannot delete your Threads profile without deleting your Instagram account. This is something we are working on. In the meantime, you can disable your Threads profile at any time. Disabling your Threads profile does not disable your Instagram account."
Meta says that disabling your Threads profile means your profile, posts, and interactions with other posts will no longer be visible.
Meta mentions that users can visit their Instagram settings to download and delete Threads data. Why can't we delete our Threads account without deleting our Instagram account? You can also check out our article titled "Is There an Indirect Way to Delete our Threads Account Without Deleting our Instagram Account?" for more information.
6- HOW CAN I ACCESS THREADS?
Currently, you can only access Threads through iOS or Android applications. There is no desktop version at this stage, and Meta has not announced when it will be available.
7- WILL THERE BE ADS?
Meta stated that Threads will not be monetized this year, but they have left the door open for ads in the future.
8- CAN I HAVE A DIFFERENT USERNAME?
Currently, Meta allows people to sign in with their Instagram credentials, so you will be using the username you have on Instagram. This decision is seen as beneficial for accounts that are concerned about someone else taking their username.
9- WHY IS THREADS NOT AVAILABLE IN EU COUNTRIES?
Threads claims to have gained 10 million new users within hours, which indicates a quite successful start. However, due to ongoing regulatory concerns, the app is currently not available in the European Union. In May, Meta was fined 1.2 billion euros ($1.3 billion) for processing user information and was instructed to stop transferring user data to the United States.
It is unknown whether Threads will be released in the EU or when it will be available.
10- HOW SERIOUS OF A COMPETITOR IS IT FOR TWITTER?
So, can Threads, touted as the "Twitter killer," truly shake Twitter's dominance? Zuckerberg is confident... He believes that they will achieve what Musk envisions for Twitter, which is turning it into a global town square. Zuckerberg says, "It should be a public chat application with over 1 billion people. Twitter had a chance to do that but hasn't succeeded yet. Hopefully, we will."
So, should Elon Musk be worried? The answer, for now, is yes.
The new app reached 10 million users within the first few hours.
The chosen timing is notable. The new app coincides with a period when Twitter has introduced temporary limitations due to "data scraping" issues.
Zuckerberg, although not particularly innovative, is an expert in imitating and achieving results. Instagram's Stories have surpassed the original Snapchat Stories. Reels may not be as popular as TikTok, but it has a strong viewership rate.
Being a part of Instagram gives Threads much greater launching power compared to a completely new competitor.
Instagram has over two billion active users worldwide. According to analytics company Demand Sage, Twitter has slightly less than 400 million active users.
Twitter's strength comes from its user community it has built. However, this community is not actually as large in numbers. Some industry experts say that if one in every ten Instagram users starts trying out Threads, it will give Twitter a headache.
Along with these advantages, Threads has been made available in over 100 countries for now. However, access is not yet available in European Union countries. This is due to regulations regarding user data by the European Union. Past experiences with Facebook also raise eyebrows in this regard, and there are concerns about the amount of data collected by Threads.
STATEMENT ISSUED: TWITTER CAN SUE
Twitter has issued a warning to Meta about imitation. The news website Semafor published a letter sent by Twitter's lawyer, Alex Spiro, to Mark Zuckerberg.
In the letter, Spiro expresses serious concerns that Meta has systematically, intentionally, and illegally misused Twitter's trade secrets and other intellectual property. The letter alleges that Meta hired former Twitter employees last year and deliberately assigned these employees to develop a "copycat" Threads application for Meta within a few months.
The letter refers to Twitter's intellectual property rights and requests that Meta take urgent steps to cease using Twitter's trade secrets and confidential information. The letter also emphasizes that Twitter may resort to legal measures to protect its rights.
MUSK'S COMMENT ON THREADS
Twitter's lawyer, Alex Spiro, basically says, "They made a copy of Twitter by hiring former employees with access to confidential information." Elon Musk, the owner of Twitter, responded to the news claiming that Twitter would sue Meta with a sarcastic tone against Mark Zuckerberg. Musk's comment was as follows: Competition is good, but cheating is not.