Threads' launch comes at a time of prolonged Twitter turmoil under new owner Elon Musk. Credit: REUTERS/Dado Ruvic
Instagram has launched Threads, the social network's long-awaited response to Elon Musk's Twitter. Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta, the parent company of Instagram, said 10 million users signed up in the first seven hours.
How does it work?
For those familiar with Twitter and its short text messages, Threads will immediately feel familiar. The app displays a feed of messages, called threads, of celebrities, influencers, public figures and general users sharing their thoughts and news with the world.
Users can repost (repost?) other people in the same way that they can retweet them, comment or favorite them, and follow other users.
Users can sign in with their Instagram account, which means Threads already has over 2 billion accounts ready to go. The app will ask if you want to follow the same accounts as on Instagram. An interesting choice as many use Instagram as a social network for friends and Twitter as a way to follow famous people and keep up with the news.
Themes allow users to comment, like and share in much the same way as on Twitter. Credit: Meta
However, you can just ignore Instagram's suggestions and make your own list of people to follow. The app's news feed will also show topics from users you don't follow.
How is it different from Twitter?
When it comes to posts, topics are limited to 500 characters (almost double the default of 280 on Twitter), and you can choose whether to post publicly or privately, only to users you've approved.
0706 threads vs. twitter
No ads in the threads yet, although Meta's massive ad operations mean it's probably only a matter of time.
The topics will also follow Instagram's rules, which are usually stricter than Twitter's rules, such as no nudity. This means that controversial topics are also likely to be more closely monitored. For example, Twitter has relaxed its rules on posting about Covid-19.
Where can I download it?
The app launched on Wednesday evening and is available on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store for Android phones. It's important to note that it's not available in the European Union — Instagram reports that the block's strict data privacy rules have delayed the launch.
It's important to note that Threads is primarily available on smartphone apps. Its website — threads.net — just directs people to the app, meaning the service isn't great for people who mostly use Twitter on their laptops and PCs.
Meta boss Mark Zuckerberg is looking to capitalize on the Twitter turmoil by launching Threads. Photo: Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images
Instagram has promised that Threads will eventually be compatible with other Twitter competitors like Mastodon, as opposed to Twitter, which severely restricts posts. It has committed to supporting an open web protocol called ActivityPub, which means users can read topics in other apps and vice versa, just as emails from different providers can be read in different apps.
Who's there?
Instagram signed celebrities such as Gordon Ramsey, Shakira and Jennifer Lopez to launch the app, but major news organizations and brands joined just hours after launch (The Telegraph account here).
Zuckerberg, whose Twitter account has been inactive for many years, has been constantly posting since the launch of the app.
There is no sign that Musk has joined him. The Twitter owner was a regular Instagram user until 2018, when he deleted his account, calling it «weak sauce.»
Will this kill Twitter?
Since Musk paid $44bn (£35bn) for Twitter last year, it has been repeatedly predicted for its inevitable demise, from advertiser flight to extended outages and last weekend when Musk briefly imposed limits on the number of tweets that can be see the audience.
Elon Musk has faced a number of disputes and technical issues since buying Twitter last year. Photo: REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes
A number of alternatives have been created, such as BlueSky, Post and Nostr, but many users who left Twitter have returned to this service.
Twitter's existing competitors face the same problem — Twitter relies on the . It's hard to get people moving at the same time, and it's hard work putting together a new list of people to follow.
The fact that users will be able to log into Threads instantly with their Instagram account. and importing their subscriber lists from the app removes that barrier.
Will you join threads? Share your thoughts in the comments section below
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