Meta released their new Threads App last week and as of now (Sunday evening) we’re looking at almost 100 million signups. Having it be a 2 click process for existing Instagram users made this a no-brainer for many to just give it a shot, but for many it may have been more than they bargained for.
Almost instantly there have been concerns with the aggressive amount of data that Meta is collecting. If that is a concern for you, check out these great posts on the topic:
https://www.cbsnews.com/philadelphia/news/threads-app-safe-safety-privacy-and-data-concerns-meta/
https://www.wired.com/story/meta-twitter-threads-bluesky-spill-hive-mastodon-privacy-comparison/
Data concerns aside - What's the dealio with Threads?
An Instagram product makes for a 2-click setup from your existing Instagram account to a much different experience that Instagram, intended to rival Twitter. To make life easy I’m going to bullet list what I find to be the main points of interest.
- 500 characters per thread (that can include links, photos, and videos up to 5 minutes long)
- Reply, quote, re-thread anything
- Avatars (that are used across the entire Meta platform)
- Private or Public profiles
- Instagram Verified accounts are automatically verified in Threads
- Add hidden words to filter out replies to your threads that contain specific words
- Unfollow, block, restrict or report a profile on Threads by tapping the three-dot menu, and any accounts you’ve blocked on Instagram will automatically be blocked on Threads
- Compatible with Interoperable Networks (ActivityPub) to connect to Mastodon, WordPress, Tumblr (they’re working on it too)
Quote from Zuck below. Reptilian overlord or not it’s always good to hear at least what they’re claiming is the intent of the platform… even if we all know it’s causing Elon Musk to be in a full-on rage right now. He even tweeted out today “Zuck is a cuck” which proves to me he’s at the very least triggered as hell over how his week has gone.
As far as damage to the Twitter userbase and daily active users, time will tell.
With so little automation, bots, etc. on Threads right now, at the very least it’s going to have a few weeks of “the golden years” hardcore users down the road will constantly mention and remember like it was some awakening. I’ll laugh at them all 🙂 Most of these folks never lived on a dial-up modem at 300 baud and it shows.
“The vision for Threads is to create an option and friendly public space for conversation,” Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg said in a Threads post following the launch. “We hope to take what Instagram does best and create a new experience around text, ideas, and discussing what’s on your mind.”
What's the verdict Steve?
As a person who uses Twitter daily for my addiction to the NBA it’s going to take a lot of people moving over there for me to jettison Twitter completely for Threads. I honestly am not sure if that’s going to happen at all. Hell, the majority of the NBA Players are active on Twitter more than anywhere else. So until they move, I’m still on my throwaway account there daily.
Does that mean Threads has no space? NOT AT ALL
I look at Threads as a great place to post all the “Behind the Scenes” content that would not really be appropriate for LinkedIn, but people who follow and connect with me on LinkedIn may want to enjoy. I’m sure some of my personal friends on Instagram will end up there as well, and they may see my business side for the very first time there since I typically don’t ever talk about work with friends.
You can connect on Threads with me here: https://www.threads.net/@iamlichtman