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| Threads – the new social network from Meta |
Meta, the company formerly known as Facebook, has launched a new app called Threads, a text-based social network that aims to compete with Twitter. Threads is built by the Instagram team and allows users to share short text posts of up to 500 characters, along with photos, videos, and links. Threads also features polls, GIFs, reposts, and quotes, as well as a following feed and a web experience. In this blog post, we will explore what Threads is, how to use it, and what are its advantages and disadvantages.
Table of Contents
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What is Threads?
·
How to Use Threads?
·
What are the Benefits of Threads?
·
What are the Drawbacks of Threads?
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Conclusion
What is Threads?
Threads is a new app, launched by Meta on July
5, 2023, that lets users create and join text-based conversations on various
topics. Users can log in to Threads using their Instagram account and post up
to 500 characters of text, along with photos, videos, and links. Threads is
similar to Twitter, but with some differences. For example, Threads allows
users to edit their posts, search with keywords, tag topics, and join public
conversations. Threads also integrates with Instagram, so users can like,
reply, share, and add posts to their stories or feed.
Threads is currently available in 100
countries, excluding the European Union, due to privacy regulations and the
upcoming Digital Markets Act. Meta claims that Threads has received 100 million
sign-ups in less than a week after its launch, making it the most rapidly
downloaded app ever. Meta also plans to make Threads compatible with the open,
interoperable social networks that it believes can shape the future of the
internet.
How to Use Threads?
To use Threads, users need to download the app
from the App Store for iPhone or Google Play Store for Android. Users can then
log in using their Instagram account and start posting text updates and joining
conversations. Users can write text posts up to 500 characters, string together
multiple text posts, add photos and videos up to 5 minutes long, mention other
users, and share links. Users can also create polls, share GIFs, repost and
quote other posts, and follow topics and accounts.
The home feed on Threads is purely
algorithmic, meaning that users see what Meta thinks they should see, based on
their interests and behavior. Users cannot choose to see posts in chronological
order, like they can on Twitter or Instagram. Users can also browse content on Threads,
search for accounts, report posts, and adjust their settings. Users in the US
can also choose whether they want to see more or less sensitive or fact-checked
content on their feed, as Meta has partnered with third-party fact-checkers to
review and rate false content on Threads.
What are the Benefits
of Threads?
Threads has several benefits for users who
want to share and consume text-based content on social media. Some of the
benefits are:
·
Threads is simple and familiar. Threads has a user interface and
features that are similar to Instagram and Twitter, making it easy for users to
navigate and use the app. Users can also log in using their Instagram account,
which saves them the hassle of creating a new account and profile.
·
Threads is fast and responsive. Threads has a lightweight design
and a smooth performance, allowing users to post and browse content quickly and
seamlessly. Threads also has a web experience, which means users can access the
app from any device and browser.
·
Threads is creative and engaging. Threads allows users to
express themselves and interact with others in various ways, such as polls,
GIFs, reposts, quotes, and topics. Users can also join public conversations and
follow the latest trends and news on Threads.
·
Threads is integrated and interoperable. Threads is connected to
Instagram, so users can share their content and activity across both platforms.
Users can also link their Threads account to other open, decentralized social
networks, such as Mastodon and Diaspora, and communicate with users on those
networks.
What are the Drawbacks
of Threads?
Threads also has some drawbacks that users
should be aware of before using the app. Some of the drawbacks are:
·
Threads is not available in the EU. Due to the strict privacy
rules and the upcoming Digital Markets Act in the European Union, Meta has not
launched Threads in the EU. Users in the EU cannot access or use Threads,
unless they use a VPN or a proxy server, which may violate the terms of service
of the app.
·
Threads is controlled by Meta. Threads is owned and operated by
Meta, the same company that owns Facebook and Instagram. This means that Meta
has access to the data and content of the users on Threads, and can use it for
advertising, research, or other purposes. Meta also has the power to censor,
manipulate, or remove content and accounts on Threads, according to its
policies and interests.
·
Threads is not original or innovative. Threads is largely a copy
of Twitter, with some features borrowed from Instagram and other apps. Threads
does not offer anything new or unique to the users, and may struggle to
differentiate itself from the existing and emerging competitors in the social
media space.
Conclusion
Threads is a new text-based social network
from Meta that lets users share short text posts and join public conversations.
Threads is similar to Twitter, but with some differences, such as polls, GIFs,
reposts, quotes, and topics. Threads also integrates with Instagram and other
open, decentralized social networks. Threads has some benefits, such as
simplicity, speed, creativity, and integration, but also some drawbacks, such
as unavailability in the EU, control by Meta, and lack of originality. Users
who are interested in Threads can download the app and try it out, or wait and
see how it evolves and performs in the future.