Meta launched “Threads” this week, a new app that rivals Twitter. We personally signed up for the Threads app so you don’t have to. Here’s what we found…
The Basics
- A “Thread” is their version of a Tweet.
- 500 characters is the limit, per Thread.
- You cannot edit a Thread once it is up.
- There is no way to login on a desktop – you must download the app to your mobile device.
- Right now, there is no option for direct messages.
- There are absolutely no ads as of yet.
- Hashtags do not seem to be a thing on the app. Emojis, GIFs, and text are a go.
- You may download Threads via the app store or by scanning the QR code at Threads.net.
Threads vs. Twitter
Much like Twitter, Threads is a mainly a short-form, text-based app, that also welcomes images, links, GIFs, and the like. The app is easy to navigate, easy to post on, and easy to understand.
Unlike Twitter, they do not limit your consumption of the app. Since Elon Musk overtook Twitter as owner, many changes have shocked and enraged the world including limiting accounts to view only 600 tweets a day. Initially, in order to see more tweets (up to 6,000 a day), you needed to pay to get verified first.
Even worse, NEW Twitter accounts that were opened could only view up to 300 tweets a day due to Musk’s orders. This might sound like a lot, unless you are a scroll king/queen. But imagine being a Social Media Manager on a a new unverified account – yikes!
Earlier this week, Musk caved and upped the limit on tweets consumed for all accounts – but they are still limited nonetheless. Other limits include the amount of people you can follow in a day and how many messages you can send per day.
Threads does not currently have any of these limits in place. Yet, we can only anticipate some limits will be put in place overtime. One limit we expect to see in the future is how many people people you can follow, just like Thread’s app sibling: Instagram.
The Pros
Threads did not come to play. Here are some of the things the app seems to have nailed down so far:
- User-friendly / Easy to navigate and understand.
- No advertisements.
- Familiar owners – doesn’t hurt we already trust our data and social media accounts with Meta.
- Your friends are easy to find, as the app is connected to both Facebook/Twitter via Meta.
- No regulations as far as how many Threads you can consume – unlike Twitter.
The Cons
- No control over your Feed. Right now, ours is flooded with verified accounts of people we do not follow and/or know. It’s more like an explore page than a main feed.
- No sense of community yet.
- Not all celebrities and brands are on Threads as of yet.
- It’s uncertain if Threads is worth the effort. We don’t know if this app will stick.
- The app lacks an identity other than a Twitter copycat.
Will Threads be another app like “ClubHouse”? All the rage for a few weeks, then softly die out? Only time will tell. Meta has a spotty record with both massive successes and notable rollout fails. All we know now is that people are on it, people are using it, and so far – people are liking it. What do you think? Was Threads, “Made to Stick”?
