Threads: Everything you need to know about the launch of the new Meta app

Threads: What is it?

On Thursday, July 6, 2023, Meta officially launched Threads. The launch was a real hit, with the social network gaining 10 million new sign-ups in 7 hours and nearly 40 million users in 24 hours. Just 4 days after its launch, Meta's new app had 100 million new users. Mark Zuckerberg was super optimistic, saying that the Threads platform could soon reach a billion users. Initially available in only about a hundred countries, the app was gradually rolled out by Meta.

For European users, Threads was officially made available from December 14, 2023. The rollout in Europe took longer due to stricter personal data protection rules on the continent.

Threads is a new application from the Meta group, the parent company of Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram. Although it is a standalone application, Threads is directly linked to Instagram. However, the social network looks much more like Twitter with a feed of primarily text-based messages. Users can still post videos and photos. Threads offers many opportunities for entrepreneurs by allowing you to position yourself on the new social network for prospecting and building closer relationships with your customers.

The social network Threads focuses on sharing short text snippets and real-time discussions with other users. You can share or like posts published by other community members.

How does it work?

Although new, Threads is a social network perfect for entrepreneurs who want to position themselves first to prospect. The Meta group uses your Instagram information to personalize your Threads profile and the advertising you receive there. A positive point of the application is that its interface is quite uncluttered so that the user is not disoriented. You will find five different tabs that help you navigate the application:

• the house icon to access your news feed,
• the magnifying glass icon that takes you to the search page (you can enter the names of the users you want to follow).
• The pen and paper icon is for writing a post.
• The heart icon shows you your account activity.
• The icon that looks like a person lets you check out your activity.

The heart icon tells you who followed you on Threads and who replied to your thread. You'll also get notifications when someone mentions you in their posts on the app. On Threads, you can post up to 500 characters of text. If that's not enough, just create a thread with multiple short messages, up to about 10 images, and videos up to 5 minutes long.

Like on X, you can submit Threads subscribers to a survey and post gifts.

Threads: An application linked to Instagram

One of the best things about Threads is how easy it is to use. Getting started is a breeze since you just have to log in with your Instagram account. The app then suggests you automatically follow everyone you're already following on your professional Instagram account, or not. This saves you from having to start from scratch like with other social networks. Because Threads and Instagram are linked, you can directly import your profile picture and bio. Deleting your Instagram account will also delete your Threads account.

What are the differences between this social network and Twitter?

As you can see, Threads and X are very similar. X is even considering taking legal action against Meta. However, there are some differences. First, Zuckerberg's new social network allows you to publish longer texts than Twitter (X).

Unlike X, Threads doesn't use hashtags either. However, this feature could arrive in the coming months, probably with the "Trends" section, which will summarize the most followed topics of the moment. Threads content is also subject to a stricter moderation policy than X. The owner of the social network Twitter promotes freedom of expression.

As usual, Meta prevents its users from posting sexual videos or photos on Threads. Finally, Threads does not allow you to start private discussions with other users. According to Instagram CEO Adam Mosseri, the goal of the social network is not to create a new inbox, but only to allow users to send threads of discussions to other applications. For the moment, users also regret the lack of an integrated translator for publications and posts in other languages.

What are Threads' real ambitions?

The arrival of Threads in Europe comes at just the right time. In recent weeks, X has been shaken by a series of controversies. Elon Musk, the new owner of the social network, is accused of controversial comments, including an anti-Semitic message. He has also responded aggressively to advertisers who have boycotted X because of these controversies.

These events have weakened X. The social network has lost many users and advertisers. So, Meta could take advantage of this situation to make Threads a success.

The success of Threads will depend on a few things, especially its ability to attract and keep users. Meta already tried to launch a rival service to X in 2019, but it didn't work out. The current situation looks better, but it's still not a done deal.