Written by Sunny
Modified & Updated: 30 Jan 2024
Reviewed by Sherman Smith
Threads is a revolutionary social media and networking service that has taken the digital world by storm. Owned by the American technology giant Meta Platforms, Threads is designed to function similarly to Twitter, allowing users to post text, images, and videos, as well as reply to and like posts by others. Here are 15 fascinating facts about this game-changing app.
Tied to Instagram Accounts
Threads profiles are directly linked to Instagram accounts. Users are required to have the same username on both services, and any changes to profile details must be made through Instagram.
Born out of Twitter’s Acquisition
The idea for Threads was conceived following Elon Musk’s acquisition of Twitter. Meta employees discussed creating a separate, text-focused app as an alternative to Twitter, leading to the development of Threads.
Rapid Development and Launch
Development on Threads began in January 2023, under the internal codename “Project 92”. The app was officially launched on July 5, 2023, in 100 countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and Japan.
Record-Breaking User Registration
Within just a day of its launch, Threads had already amassed an impressive 50 million registered users, making it one of the most rapidly downloaded apps ever.
Controversial Link to Instagram
One criticism of Threads is its mandatory link to Instagram accounts. Users must delete their Instagram accounts to delete their Threads account, a feature that has been met with some backlash.
Privacy Concerns
Threads has also been criticized for its inability to disable Meta’s tracking and profiling. This has led to delays in its launch in the European Union due to the region’s stringent data-use laws.
Potential “Embrace, Extend, and Extinguish” Strategy
Some users of services that use the ActivityPub protocol, such as Mastodon, fear that Meta’s goal with embracing the ActivityPub protocol is to “embrace, extend, and extinguish” it.
Platform Availability
Threads is available through native mobile clients for Apple’s iOS and Google’s Android platforms. A web application may reportedly be available in the future.
Blocked in Certain Regions
Threads is currently blocked in Iran and is not available in the European Union. Despite the website being blocked by the Great Firewall, the Threads app reached the top 5 in the Apple App Store in China.
Rapid User Growth
Within several hours of its launch, Threads had already amassed two million users. By July 6, the app had been downloaded thirty million times.
Legal Threats from Twitter
On the same day of its rapid user growth, lawyers for Twitter threatened litigation against Meta Platforms, claiming that the company used trade secrets to develop the app.
Real-Time Conversations and Sharing
Threads is designed as a platform for real-time conversations and sharing, aiming to provide users with a similar experience to Twitter, with an emphasis on public, text-based posts and conversations.
Post Limitations
Posts on Threads can contain up to 500 characters of text and 5 minutes of video.
Most-Followed Accounts
As of July 7, 2023, the ten most-followed accounts on Threads include Instagram, Kim Kardashian, MrBeast, National Geographic, Shakira, Will Smith, Mark Zuckerberg, 9GAG, Jennifer Lopez, and Anitta.
Future Compatibility with ActivityPub Protocol
If the service were to be compatible with the ActivityPub protocol, as is planned, Threads accounts would be able to be found and accessed at @user@threads.net by users of federated services.
Conclusion
Threads is a promising new player in the world of social media. Despite its rapid growth and popularity, it has faced its share of controversies and challenges. However, with its innovative features and strong backing from Meta Platforms, Threads is poised to make a significant impact on the social media landscape.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is Threads?
Threads is an online social media and networking service owned by Meta Platforms. It functions similarly to Twitter, allowing users to post text, images, and videos.
How is Threads linked to Instagram?
Profiles on Threads are directly linked to Instagram accounts. Users are required to have the same username on both services.
When was Threads launched?
Threads was officially launched on July 5, 2023.
How many users does Threads have?
Within just a day of its launch, Threads had already amassed 50 million registered users.
What are some criticisms of Threads?
Threads has been criticized for its mandatory link to Instagram accounts and its inability to disable Meta’s tracking and profiling.
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