Threads: Redefining the Text Sharing Way

Introduction :

Meta rolled out Twitter competitor Threds on 6th July, 2023. Threads is a brand new app developed by the Instagram team that changes the way we share text. Recently announced by Mark Zuckerberg, this app offers a separate space for real-time updates and public conversations. The goal is to make Threads compatible with open and interconnected social networks, which we believe will shape the future of the internet.

Instagram is a popular platform where billions of people worldwide connect through photos and videos. Threads aims to leverage Instagram's strengths and extend them to textual content, fostering a constructive and imaginative space for the expression of ideas. Similar to Instagram, you have the opportunity to follow and engage with friends and creators who have similar interests. This includes people you already follow on Instagram and others. Threads also provides existing safety and user controls to ensure a secure experience.

Getting Started Made Easy

Starting with Threads is a breeze. Simply log in using your Instagram account. Your Instagram username and verification will carry over, and you even have the option to personalize your profile specifically for Threads.

When users are younger than 16 (or younger than 18 in some countries), Threads sets up a private profile for them automatically as they join. You can choose to follow the same accounts as you do on Instagram and discover new people who share your passions. Threads also supports core accessibility features available on Instagram, such as screen reader support and AI-generated image descriptions.

What You'll Find in Threads

In Threads, your feed consists of posts from people you follow, as well as recommended content from new creators you haven't discovered yet. You can make posts up to 500 characters long, including links, photos, and videos up to 5 minutes in length. Sharing a Threads post to your Instagram story or on any other platform is effortless through a simple link.

Take Control of Your Content

The Instagram team built Threads with tools that enable positive and productive conversations. 

You can control who can mention you and responds to your threads. Similar to Instagram, you can filter out replies containing specific words by adding them to your hidden words list. Managing profiles is also straightforward, as you can unfollow, block, restrict, or report a profile by tapping the three-dot menu. All those accounts that you've blocked on Instagram will be automatically blocked on Threads as well.

Compatibility with Interconnected Networks

The Instagram team announced their exciting plan to make Threads work smoothly with ActivityPub, a cool social networking protocol created by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C).. This compatibility would allow Threads to work seamlessly with other apps supporting the ActivityPub protocol.

Availability and Expansion

Mark Zuckerberg announced the launch of Threads in over 100 countries for iOS and Android. People of these countries can download the app from the Google Play Store and and Apple App Store. The plan is to make Threads available in more countries in the near future.