Instagram Threads: The New Social Media Sensation

Instagram Threads: The New Social Media Sensation

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Chanchal
Chanchal Aggarwal
Senior Executive Content
Updated on Jul 11, 2023 10:04 IST

Instagram Threads- A text-based conversation app by Meta finally arrived on the market on July 5, 2023. Threads reached 10 million users in just seven hours after its launch.

Amongst the billionaire case fight challenge between Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk, Meta released its standalone Twitter competitor based on Instagram’s account system. Considering the current restrictions on viewing tweets, the thread’s launch timing is interesting. There is a lot more that you need to know about Instagram Threads or Potential “Twitter Killer”. Let’s scroll your screen down and find out.

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Imagine a world where your social media interactions are not just about scrolling through an endless feed of posts but about engaging in meaningful conversations with your closest friends. No matter what kind of person you are, Instagram Threads offers a separate, real-time space for posting updates and participating in public discussions. Where your status updates are not just text but a dynamic reflection of your life in real time. 

Welcome to the world of Instagram Threads – a revolutionary new app redefining how we connect, communicate, and share our lives. With its unique features and user-centric design, Instagram Threads is not just another messaging app – it’s a game-changer. So, are you ready to dive into the fascinating world of Instagram Threads? 

Instagram head- Adam Mosseri, stated in an interview that “Twitter’s “volatility” and “unpredictability” under Musk provided the opening to compete”. The new platform from its desktop site at Threads.net or download the iOS and Android apps.

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On Wednesday, Zuckerberg also tweeted for the first time in more than a decade to celebrate the Twitter knockoff, which is likely to attract a ton of engagement as Twitter flails and other potential successor apps fail to consolidate its users in one place.

What is Instagram Threads?

Instagram Threads is a new social media platform as a potential competitor to Twitter. It is launched by Meta parent company of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp. The platform looks a lot like Twitter, with a feed of largely text-based posts — although users can also post photos and videos — where people can have real-time conversations. 

This text-based conversation app was launched to provide a dedicated space for users to share photos, videos, messages, stories, and more with their Instagram close friends list. It is designed to be a more private space, separate from the main Instagram app, where users can share more personal content with a select group of people. Threads are deeply tied into Instagram, and Instagram accounts now display a Threads user number, so the counting is both transparent and happening in real-time.

There also isn’t a paid verification scheme that unlocks additional functionality, though Instagram’s blue checks will port over to Threads accounts. 

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Facts and Figures About Instagram Threads

Let’s look at essential facts and figures about Instagram Threads:

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  • Threads passed 2 million signups in its first two hours live in the App Store and shows no signs of slowing down. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg noted the milestone on his Threads account.
  • Posts can be up to 500 characters long and include links, photos and videos up to five minutes long.
  • As of Thursday morning, Threads was the top free app on Apple’s App Store and a trending Twitter topic.
  • According to the company, threads is available in 100 countries and more than 30 languages via Apple’s iOS and Android.
  • As per the Sensor Tower Data, on day one, most downloads were done by India, i.e., 22%. 25% of the downloads were on iOS, whereas the remaining 75% were on Android.

Key Features and Updates of Instagram Threads

  • Threads are “Instagram’s text-based conversation app” where “communities come together to discuss everything from the topics they care about today to what’ll be trending tomorrow.
  • It was launched as a separate space for real-time updates and public conversations, aiming to take what Instagram does best and expand that to text. It was designed to create a positive and creative space to express ideas.
  • Threads are closely tied to Instagram, meaning users use the same username across both apps and quickly follow all the accounts they’ve been following on Instagram.
  • Threads posts can be up to 500 characters long and include links, photos, and videos up to 5 minutes in length. Users can easily share a Threads post to their Instagram story or share their post as a link on any other platform. 
  • Threads were built with tools to enable positive, productive conversations. Users can control who can mention them or reply to them within Threads. Like on Instagram, users can add hidden words to filter out replies to their threads that contain specific words.

Can You Delete Your Threads Account?

According to co-founder and chief executive Mark Zuckerberg, threads, Meta’s Twitter rival, is drawing users at an astounding pace, amassing 10 million sign-ups in just seven hours. But the highly anticipated new service, which requires an Instagram account for onboarding, features an intriguing stipulation: Deleting a Threads account requires deleting the linked Instagram account.

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In a Supplemental Privacy Policy, Meta explains: “You may deactivate your Threads profile at any time, but your Threads profile can only be deleted by deleting your Instagram account.”

After receiving user feedback over this policy decision, Instagram head Adam Mosseri clarified how account deletion would work. He says that users can deactivate their Threads account to hide their profile and content, set their profile to private, or delete all their individual threads posts without deleting their Instagram account. But, right now, Threads and Instagram are all one account, so deleting one would delete the other. Mosseri adds that the company is “looking into a way to delete your Threads account separately.”

Difference Between Instagram Threads and Twitter

Instagram Threads Twitter
Purpose Instagram Threads is designed for private sharing with a close circle of friends. Twitter is a platform for public conversation and sharing. 
Focus Instagram threads are more image-focused, with a camera-first interface for quickly sharing photos and videos. It is more personal and private, intended for sharing with a select group of close friends.
Twitter is more text-focused, allowing users to share thoughts, ideas, and news in short messages called tweets. It also supports sharing of photos, and videos, and links. Twitter is often used for public discourse, news sharing, and real-time event commentary.
Post Characters It provides users with 500 characters count limit. It provides unverified users with a maximum of 280 character count limit.
Profile likes You cannot see other profile likes. Twitter allow you to see other profiles’ likes. 
Message privacy Threads messages are intended for a user’s Instagram close friends list.
Twitter DMs can be sent to anyone (unless privacy settings specify otherwise). 
Draft Save Threads doesn’t have an option to save drafts of posts. Twitter has the feature of saving drafts of posts present in it.
Video Five-minute videos can be posted by users (including those who are not verified) Two minutes and 20 seconds videos can be posted by those without the coveted blue badge. 

FAQs

What is Instagram Threads?

Instagram Threads is a standalone app developed by Instagram that is designed for close friends. You can share photos, videos, messages, Stories, and more with your Instagram close friends list. You can also control who can reach you on Threads.

How does Instagram Threads work?

Instagram Threads works by connecting to your Instagram account and accessing your close friends list. You can share media and messages directly with these selected friends.

How to use Instagram Threads?

To use Instagram Threads, you need to download the app and log in with your Instagram account. Once logged in, you can start sharing messages, photos, and videos with your close friends. You can also customize your notifications and status.

Can I use Instagram Threads without an Instagram account?

No, you cannot use Instagram Threads without an Instagram account. Threads is a companion app to Instagram and uses your Instagram account to function.

Can I send messages to people not on my close friends list through Instagram Threads?

No, Instagram Threads is designed for sharing with your close friends only. You can only send messages to people who are on your close friends list.

Is Instagram Threads available on all devices?

Instagram Threads is available on both iOS and Android devices. You can download it from the App Store or Google Play Store.

About the Author
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Chanchal Aggarwal
Senior Executive Content

Chanchal is a creative and enthusiastic content creator who enjoys writing research-driven, audience-specific and engaging content. Her curiosity for learning and exploring makes her a suitable writer for a variety ... Read Full Bio