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We've been witnessing an increasing fascination with Twitter alternatives in recent times. Emerging and pre-existing text-based social networks are making headway as people's curiosity grows. Mastodon, Bluesky, Spill, and T2 are platforms experiencing increased user interest. Recently, the company formerly known as Facebook, Meta, has entered the fray with an exciting new proposition linked with Instagram.
What exactly is Threads, and how does one get on board?
Threads is the creation of Meta, envisaged to challenge Twitter. The platform is entwined with your Instagram profile, enabling swift account creation by simply using your Instagram login information.
What distinguishes Threads from Twitter?
Unlike Twitter, Threads currently operates without paid subscriptions or in-app advertisements. One unique feature is that it acknowledges the verification status imported from Instagram, even for those who have opted for the Meta Verified service. It lets users tap into their existing Instagram connections to find and follow individuals of interest.
Despite its recent introduction, Threads doesn't yet offer the range of features seen on Twitter, including longer video content, direct messaging, or live audio spaces.
How can one utilize Threads?
The platform can be accessed via iOS and Android devices in over 100 countries. Due to privacy-related regulations, it is presently not available in the EU. Upon signing in with your Instagram details, you can instantly follow those you already do on Instagram and import your username, personal data, and specific settings, such as your block list.
How large is the user base of Threads?
Within a few hours post-launch, Threads saw an impressive surge of over 10 million registrations.
What are the posting guidelines on Threads?
On Threads, users are restricted to 500 characters per post. However, it supports the inclusion of images, videos, and GIFs. Up to 10 media elements can be added to a single post.
Can Threads be browsed on the web?
While Thread posts and profiles can be viewed on the web via a link, you won't be able to sign in to your account or create posts.
How can one erase their Threads account?
Deactivation of Threads accounts is allowed, but complete account deletion necessitates the removal of your Instagram account, as per Meta's "Supplemental Privacy Policy."
Does Threads offer a "Following" timeline?
Threads doesn't currently provide a timeline solely dedicated to showing posts from the accounts you follow. Your home timeline is a mix of algorithm-driven posts from both the accounts you follow and others.
As explained by Instagram's head, Adam Mosseri, in response to a user, “We moderately rank posts and display recommendations (posts from accounts you don’t follow) in the feed, which is especially critical for a nascent app before users follow a significant number of accounts.”
Can users direct message on Threads?
Currently, direct messaging isn't supported on Threads. Mosseri expressed that the aim is to “avoid creating another inbox and instead allow people to send threads to different apps.”
Does Threads integrate with the fediverse?
At its launch, Threads didn't incorporate features of a decentralized social network, implying that users couldn't transition to or from the server. However, Mosseri indicated that support for ActivityPub is on its way.
Moving our way through threads like..
In his words, “We are devoted to integrating support for ActivityPub, the foundation of Mastodon, into this app. We couldn't complete it in time for the launch due to various complexities that come with a decentralized network, but it’s forthcoming.”
The relevance of this is crucial: should you decide to leave Threads or face de-platforming, you should have the option to migrate your audience to a different server. Open-source principles facilitate this.
What elements is Threads currently lacking?
A few features are yet to be incorporated into Threads, including a dedicated "Following" feed, GIF support, complete web version functionality, in-app post-editing, inline translation, user-generated Alt image text, and hashtags.
What's Threads' policy on data collection?
Given the connection with Instagram, Meta categorizes Threads as an extension of your Instagram activity. This association, however, has sparked concerns regarding the platform's data collection methods, particularly in light of the privacy disclosures in the App Store.