Threads, Meta's new text-based app set to rival Twitter, launched on July 5, 2023.Stefani Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images
- Meta released Threads — a new text-based app poised to compete with Twitter — on Wednesday.
- There are other Twitter competitors, but Threads has the advantage of Instagram's existing user base.
Twitter's most formidable competitor has arrived.
Threads, Meta's new text-based app that has been described as the new "Twitter Killer," was released to the public ahead of time on Wednesday.
The app is the latest in line of competitors, such as Bluesky and Donald Trump's Truth Social, that have aimed to provide an alternative digital space for conversation besides Twitter.
One immediate advantage Threads may have over other rivals is the potential to convert Instagram's existing user base to new Threads accounts since people are required to have an Instagram log-in. Instagram is estimated to have more than 1.21 billion active users, according to Statista.
Threads also comes less than a year since Elon Musk took over Twitter and introduced some controversial changes to the app, including removing old content moderation rules, tweaking the app's For Your algorithm, and scrapping the verification process in lieu of a monthly subscription.
On Saturday, Musk also announced a rate limit on how many tweets can be viewed, initially limiting unverified users to 600 posts per day.
Here are some of the differences between Twitter and Threads in-app experience.
Threads will require users to have an Instagram account. When creating a profile, Threads provides an option to import bio information and followers from an existing Instagram profile.
Creating an account on Twitter and Threads Screenshot/Twitter and Meta
Meta confirmed that Threads will provide users with a 500-character count limit. Unverified Twitter users have a maximum of 280 characters.
Character count displays for Twitter and Threads Screenshot/Twitter and Meta
For $8 a month, Twitter Blue subscribers can increase their character limit to 25,000. It's unclear if Meta will provide similar options through its Meta Verified program.
A Meta spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment sent outside of working hours.
Threads users will also be able to post links, photos, and five-minute videos, according to the company.
One of the advantages Threads has over competing text-based apps is Instagram's large existing user base. When Instagram users create an account, they have the option to immediately add profiles they already follow.
Follower-count display on Threads. Screenshot/Twitter and Meta
Threads users will also be able to switch between the text-based app and Instagram. Posts on Threads can be shared on a user's Instagram story or profile.
Threads Screenshot/Meta
Threads' homepage is similar to Twitter's For You page in that a user will be exposed to accounts they follow and may be interested in. On Threads, a user can follow an account by clicking on the "plus" icon.
Homepages for Twitter and Threads Screenshot/Twitter and Meta
Twitter also has the option of filtering out a user's feed by accounts they follow or accounts that are on a specific list.
Thread does not appear to have similar options.
Twitter's homepage allows users to view what's trending and other topics they may be interested in. For now, the only way to explore what's on Threads is by scrolling through the home feed.
Twitter has an option to explore "trends." Screenshot/Twitter and Meta
In a press release, Meta said that it will continue adding more features to Threads to "help you continue to discover threads and creators you're interested in, including improved recommendations in feed and a more robust search function that makes it easier to follow topics and trends in real time."
Threads provides an option to hide like counts on a user's post. Hiding like counts on Threads will also hide the number on a user's Instagram profile.
Users can hide like counts on Threads. Screenshot/Twitter and Meta
Threads' option to hide like count is almost the antithesis of some of the changes Musk made when he took over Twitter.
Recently, the company added two values underneath every tweet: view count and the number of bookmarks.
As of Wednesday's launch, Threads did not appear to have an option to save drafts of posts.
Twitter provides "save draft" option. Screenshot/Twitter and Meta
The threading experience is also different. On Threads, a user has to hit enter three times to start a thread. On Twitter, threads are started with the plus button.
Starting a thread on Twitter and Threads Screenshot/Twitter and Meta
On Threads, users cannot see another profile's likes.
A profile's "likes" are not visible on Threads. Screenshot/Twitter and Meta
Threads did experience a few bugs in the hour of its launch. Some users reported onboarding issues.
A bug on Threads Screenshot/Meta
