Threads is a text-based social media app from Meta. It first launched in July 2023, and it’s been making waves ever since. Initially hyped as a Twitter/X different, Threads has now grown previous 300 million month-to-month lively customers as of December 2024.
And it’s not only a Twitter clone. Threads retains evolving with new options that make it simpler (and extra enjoyable) to attach:
Customized feeds let you curate content material round particular subjects
An internet model that makes desktop scrolling and posting simpler
Fediverse integration lets customers join with platforms like Mastodon
New instruments like polls, GIFs, post-editing, and scheduled posts to assist enhance engagement
However what precisely is the Threads app, and the way does it work? Do you have to use it as an alternative of X? And is it price including to your social media technique?
On this information, we’re breaking down every little thing you want to find out about Threads — the way it works, what’s new, and whether or not it’s the precise platform for you. Whether or not you’re simply checking it out for enjoyable or trying to construct an viewers, now’s a good time to get began with Threads.
What’s Threads and the way does it work?
At its core, Threads is a text-based social media app constructed for real-time conversations and group engagement. The Threads app was initially positioned as an alternative choice to Twitter/X, nevertheless it’s shortly turn into its personal factor.
If you happen to’re new to Threads, the expertise would possibly really feel acquainted. Like X, Threads encompasses a scrolling feed of brief text-based posts, the place you may:
Observe conversations and be part of discussions in real-time
Submit as much as 500 characters (longer than X’s 280-character restrict)
Add images, movies, hyperlinks, GIFs, and polls
Reply, repost, and quote posts to maintain the dialog going
Your Threads feed is made up of accounts you comply with, instructed content material from creators and subjects the Threads algorithm thinks you’ll like, and customized feeds (a more moderen function that permits you to curate content material round particular pursuits).
Whereas Threads is carefully linked to Instagram, it’s not simply an extension of your Instagram feed.
As a substitute of specializing in visible content material, Threads emphasizes text-first interactions, making it an ideal place for informal conversations together with your viewers, breaking information and stay updates, trending discussions and group engagement.
Latest Threads updates
In response to person suggestions, Threads has launched a number of new options since launch:
Submit scheduling, Customers can now schedule posts immediately throughout the app, permitting for higher content material planning. (Psstt: you may schedule Threads utilizing Hootsuite, too!)
Enhanced search and trending subjects. Threads is testing superior search capabilities, together with filters by date and account, and AI-generated summaries for trending subjects to supply concise overviews.
Content material markup instruments: A brand new markup function allows customers to annotate posts with visible components like highlighters and arrows, including a inventive contact to reshared content material.
How one can get began with Threads in 6 steps
Getting began with Threads is fast and straightforward, particularly if you have already got an Instagram account. Whether or not you’re on cell or desktop, you could be up and operating in minutes.
Right here’s how to enroll and begin utilizing the Threads app in six easy steps:
1. Obtain the app (or use the net model)
The Threads app is free to obtain on iOS and Android. Simply head to the App Retailer or Google Play Retailer and seek for “Threads” to obtain and set up the proper app.
Favor utilizing Threads in your laptop? No downside. Threads now has an internet model: simply go to threads.web and log in.
2. Create your account
Threads is linked to your current Instagram account, so in contrast to different apps, you don’t want to enroll from scratch.
Simply click on in your username on the backside of the welcome display.
Word: If you happen to handle a number of Instagram accounts, you may hyperlink every to their very own Threads account. Simply click on Swap Accounts on the backside of the display to toggle forwards and backwards.
3. Fill out your profile
Subsequent, you’ll land on the Profile display, the place you may:
Import your Instagram bio and profile image or customise them for Threads.
Add a hyperlink (like your web site or Linktree).
Select a profile title that matches your Instagram deal with (or go for one thing completely different).
4. Select your privateness settings
On this display, you’ll choose from two privateness choices:
Public profile. Anybody on or off Threads can see, share and work together together with your content material.
Personal profile. Solely your authorized followers can see and work together together with your content material.
Have already got a non-public Instagram account? In that case, Threads will mechanically make your profile personal by default.
5. Import the accounts you already comply with
As a result of Threads is so carefully linked to Instagram, you’ll have the choice to auto-follow the accounts you at the moment comply with on Instagram.
You may select particular person customers to comply with or click on Observe all to import your full follower listing.
And don’t fear: even when somebody hasn’t joined Threads but, you may comply with them upfront, they usually’ll present up in your feed once they do.
6. Conform to the phrases of use
On the ultimate display, you’ll be prompted to simply accept three items of knowledge:
Threads is powered by Instagram and the knowledge from each apps can be used to personalize your advertisements.
Threads is integrating with the fediverse, a gaggle of independently hosted however interconnected servers used for internet publishing.
By becoming a member of Threads, you conform to Meta’s Phrases and Insurance policies. You may click on every hyperlink to assessment the precise coverage previous to becoming a member of.
When you’re able to go, click on Be part of Threads, and also you’re accomplished!
When you’re arrange on the platform, right here are some things to attempt immediately:
Take a look at the “For You” and “Following” feeds to see what’s trending.
Discover Customized Feeds to curate your personal expertise based mostly on subjects you’re keen on.
Begin posting! Strive sharing a thread with textual content, a ballot, or a GIF to see how engagement works.
7 issues you want to find out about Threads
1. Your viewers is already there
Threads crossed the 100 million person mark lower than per week after its launch, making it the fastest-growing app in historical past. As of December 2024, it boasts over 300 million month-to-month lively customers.
Likelihood is that your viewers is among the many hundreds of thousands of latest customers flooding the gates, so don’t miss a possibility to fulfill them the place they’re!
2. Categorical your self with longer posts
Every thread could be as much as 500 characters lengthy, nearly double X’s (previously Twitter) 280-character restrict.
Longer posts make it straightforward to specific a whole thought or inform extra detailed tales with out making your followers dig by way of a number of posts to get all the knowledge.
Professional tip: undecided the place to begin together with your first Thread? Strive our free Instagram Threads Generator for inspiration.
3. Interact simply with interactive options
Interacting with different customers on Threads is fast and straightforward. If you happen to’re an lively Instagram person, three of the 4 icons on the backside of every thread will look acquainted:
A coronary heart to love the publish.
A quote bubble to answer on to the thread. (On Instagram, tapping this icon opens the remark part.)
A repost button. Tapping this lets you both repost the thread on to your Threads profile or quote the thread whereas including your personal ideas.
A paper airplane to share the publish on one other platform. Faucet this so as to add the thread to your Instagram Story or feed, publish it on Twitter, copy the hyperlink, or share by way of different means.
4. Cross-post from Threads to Instagram in a snap
Threads and Instagram are carefully associated, so Meta has made sharing content material between the 2 networks tremendous straightforward.
You may add your personal publish or any public thread to your Instagram Story.
Click on the paper airplane on the backside of the thread, choose Story, and Instagram will launch mechanically. From there, you may edit the publish or share it immediately together with your followers.
Word: When you can customise the background or add stickers, the unique thread content material stays uneditable.
5. If you happen to’re verified on Instagram, you’ll be verified on Threads
If you happen to’re already verified on Instagram, you’ll mechanically be verified on Threads. No want to leap by way of hoops to get that little blue checkmark once more!
As soon as a verified Instagram account creates an account on Threads, the blue checkmark will seem mechanically subsequent to its username.
6. Enhanced content material discovery with search and tags
Threads has launched superior search capabilities, permitting you to search out posts utilizing key phrases, profiles, and date ranges.
Plus, the introduction of matter tags (just like hashtags) helps categorize content material, making it simpler to find and interact with discussions related to your pursuits.
7. Upcoming promoting options
At the moment, Threads affords an ad-free shopping expertise. Nonetheless, Meta began testing commercials on the platform in early 2025, aiming to develop its income sources.
Initially, a small group of advertisers can be allowed to create and publish advertisements beginning in January. Regardless of this, Meta’s CFO Susan Li famous that Threads shouldn’t be anticipated to considerably drive income in 2025, as the corporate’s focus stays on constructing client worth.
Threads vs. X (previously Twitter): how do they evaluate?
At first look, Threads and X (previously Twitter) appear fairly comparable: each are platforms centered round sharing brief, text-based posts and fascinating in public conversations. Nonetheless, there are key variations that set them aside.
Right here’s a side-by-side take a look at what every app affords.
FeatureThreadsX (previously) Twitter
Submit Length500 characters per post280 characters (longer posts obtainable with X Premium)
Media SupportPhotos, movies (as much as 5 min), hyperlinks, GIFs, pollsPhotos, movies (as much as 2m 20s totally free customers), hyperlinks, GIFs, polls
VerificationInstagram verification carries over automaticallyRequires X Premium subscription for verification
Direct Messaging❌ No DMs obtainable✅ Helps direct messaging between customers
Trending Matters❌ No trending part but✅ Options trending subjects and hashtags
Adverts & Monetization❌ At the moment ad-free, however advertisements launching in 2025✅ Adverts seem in feeds, monetization choices obtainable for creators
Customized Feeds✅ Customers can create and share customized feeds❌ No equal function
Integration with Different Platforms✅ Plans to assist ActivityPub for Mastodon and the fediverse❌ No cross-platform integration
Content material ModerationFollows Instagram’s Neighborhood GuidelinesModeration insurance policies have modified beneath new administration
Person Base300M+ month-to-month lively customers as of Dec 2024368M+ month-to-month lively customers worldwide
Submit Enhancing✅ Edit button obtainable (15-minute window after posting)✅ Edit button obtainable just for X Premium subscribers
Whereas each Threads and X provide platforms for public discourse, your selection between the 2 is determined by your particular wants:
Select Threads when you choose a platform built-in with Instagram, worth the next character restrict, and luxuriate in an ad-free expertise (at the very least for now).
Go for X when you search a platform with established options like direct messaging, trending subjects, and are open to exploring monetization choices by way of subscriptions.
In the end, each platforms have their distinctive strengths, and your best option is determined by what aligns together with your social media technique and viewers engagement targets.
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