Meta’s Threads App rises amidst Twitter’s decline, challenges Trump’s Truth Social

By Zion Rufus

Today, Meta has launched Threads, a text-focused app designed to create a positive space for expressing ideas.

The launch of Threads comes at a time when users are seeking alternative platforms that offer a more positive and creative space for expression. With Instagram’s strong presence and Meta’s extensive resources, Threads has the potential to attract a significant user base.

While the recent turmoil on Twitter, with the platform implementing rate limits and making strategic moves that frustrated users, has roused speculations about the future of the platform and the capacity of Threads to take on Trump’s Truth Social, the competition between the three social platforms now adds an even more intriguing dynamic.

Twitter’s decision over the holiday weekend to limit tweet viewing had caused chaos on the platform, resulting in feed refreshing issues and broken links. The move was explained as an effort to detect and eliminate bots and other malicious actors, but the lack of advance notice sparked criticism from users.

Truth Social’s association with former President Donald Trump undoubtedly gives it a unique appeal to his supporters and conservatives seeking an alternative platform.

On the other hand, Threads will offer a dedicated space for real-time updates and public conversations, leveraging Instagram’s strengths.

Users can log in using their Instagram accounts and share text updates up to 500 characters, including links, photos, and videos. The goal is to create a positive and creative environment for expressing ideas through text.

Threads will cater to both creators and casual users, enabling connections with friends and creators who share similar interests.

The app incorporates safety and user controls, similar to those on Instagram, to ensure a secure experience. Meta’s established user base through Instagram provides a potential advantage in attracting users to Threads, thanks to the trust and familiarity associated with the Instagram brand.

Meanwhile, the competition between Threads, Twitter, and Truth Social will depend on user preferences, with Threads emphasizing text-based updates and public conversations, while Truth Social is anticipated to focus on political discourse and conservative viewpoints.

The social media landscape, dominated by established platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, poses challenges for new entrants. However, the demand for alternative platforms and the polarizing nature of politics may provide opportunities for both Threads and Truth Social to carve out their respective niches.

Threads offers users under the age of 16 (or 18 in certain countries) private profiles by default, allowing them to follow the same accounts as on Instagram and discover new individuals with shared interests. Accessibility features, including screen reader support and AI-generated image descriptions, are integrated into the app.

The app’s feed includes threads from followed accounts and recommended content from new creators. Users can create posts up to 500 characters long, incorporating links, photos, and videos up to 5 minutes in length. Sharing Threads posts to Instagram stories or other platforms via links is seamless.

To foster positive and productive conversations, Threads provides users with control over who can mention or reply to their threads. Hidden words can be added to filter out specific terms in replies. Unfollowing, blocking, restricting, and reporting profiles are possible through the three-dot menu. Content and interaction within the app adhere to Instagram’s Community Guidelines.

Meta’s plan to make Threads compatible with ActivityPub, an open social networking protocol, will enable connections with other apps supporting the protocol, opening up new possibilities for users. Threads is currently available for download on iOS and Android devices in over 100 countries. Meta aims to introduce additional features, including improved feed recommendations and an enhanced search function for real-time topic and trend tracking.

As Meta continues to develop Threads, user feedback will play a crucial role in shaping the future direction of the app. Meta is committed to enhancing user experience and providing more control over their audience on Threads. They also plan to explore interoperability with other apps through the ActivityPub protocol, allowing for seamless connections and expanding the reach of Threads.

As the battle for users’ attention and engagement intensifies, it remains to be seen how social media will likely be shaped by user preferences, the ability to create a safe and inclusive environment, and the platforms’ commitment to innovation and user-centric features.