Introducing Instagram Threads: A Text-based Space for Real-time Updates and Interactions

Meta-Owned app, Instagram has recently unveiled Threads, a new app developed by their team, designed to facilitate text-based sharing and communication.

According to the Instagram Blog post, Threads offers a dedicated platform for real-time updates and public conversations, catering to both creators and casual posters.

“The aim is to expand Instagram’s strengths into the realm of text, fostering a positive and creative environment for self-expression,’ read part of the blog post.

Similar to Instagram, Threads allows users to follow and connect with friends and creators who share their interests, both within and beyond the Instagram platform.

Existing safety and user controls from Instagram are also integrated into Threads.

Getting started with Threads is simple, as users can log in using their existing Instagram account.

The app retains the user’s Instagram username and verification, with the option to customize their profile specifically for Threads.

For users under the age of 16 (or under 18 in specific countries), a private profile is automatically set up upon joining Threads.

It is possible to follow the same accounts as on Instagram and discover new users who share similar interests.

“Accessibility features such as screen reader support and AI-generated image descriptions, already available on Instagram, are also present in Threads.”

The Threads feed includes posts from the accounts users follow, as well as recommended content from new creators.

Posts can contain up to 500 characters and include links, photos, and videos of up to 5 minutes in length.

It is noted that sharing Threads posts to an Instagram story or as a link on other platforms is made easy.

Threads is equipped with various tools to promote positive and productive conversations. Users have control over who can mention or reply to them within the app. Similar to Instagram, filtering options allow the exclusion of replies containing specific words.

Profiles can be unfollowed, blocked, restricted, or reported by accessing the three-dot menu, and any accounts blocked on Instagram will be automatically blocked on Threads.

“Safety is a top priority, with Instagram’s Community Guidelines being enforced on Threads as well. The company has invested significant resources into protecting users and is committed to advancing its industry-leading integrity efforts. Since 2016 we’ve invested more than $16 billion in building up the teams and technologies needed to protect our users, and we remain focused on advancing our industry-leading integrity efforts and investments to protect our community,” Meta noted.

In the future, Threads aims to become compatible with the ActivityPub protocol, an open social networking standard established by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C).

This compatibility would enable Threads to connect with other apps supporting the ActivityPub protocol, such as Mastodon and WordPress.

“The goal is to foster diverse and interconnected networks, allowing users to follow and interact with Threads users without requiring a Threads account. This interoperability would provide new opportunities for connections and innovation across platforms.”

The firm states that Threads offers users control over their audience, with plans to work with ActivityPub to provide the option of transferring content to another service and allowing users from compatible apps to follow and interact with Threads users seamlessly.

This decentralized approach, reminiscent of the protocols governing email and the web, is expected to play a significant role in the future of online platforms.

Threads is Meta’s first app intended to be compatible with an open social networking protocol. By joining this growing ecosystem of interoperable services, Threads aims to help users find their community, regardless of the app they use.

Threads is now available for download on iOS and Android in over 100 countries. In the future, Instagram plans to introduce additional features, including improved recommendations in the feed and an enhanced search function for real-time topic and trend tracking.

The company looks forward to receiving user feedback and developing new features to enhance the app’s connectivity and user experience.

According to The Guardian, “Meta’s Twitter rival, Threads, logged five (5) million sign-ups in its first four hours of operation, said the firm’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mark Zuckerberg.”