UNITED STATE, July 6 – Mark Zuckerberg, the founder of Meta, recently announced the launch of Threads, a new app developed by the Instagram team that focuses on sharing through text. This app provides a separate space for real-time updates and public conversations, catering to both creators and casual posters. Threads aims to expand on Instagram’s strengths in photo and video sharing and create a positive and creative environment for expressing ideas through text.
The goal is to connect individuals with shared interests, including those already followed on Instagram and beyond. Threads will also incorporate existing safety and user controls. Getting started with Threads is simple; users can log in using their existing Instagram accounts. Instagram usernames and verifications will carry over, but users also have the option to customize their profiles specifically for Threads. Younger users, aged 16 or under (or 18 in certain countries), will automatically have private profiles upon joining Threads.
They can choose to follow the same accounts they do on Instagram and discover new like-minded individuals. Accessibility features such as screen reader support and AI-generated image descriptions, already available on Instagram, are also enabled on Threads. The Threads feed consists of posts from followed individuals and recommended content from new creators. Users can create posts up to 500 characters long, including links, photos, and videos up to 5 minutes in length.
Sharing Threads posts to Instagram stories or as links on other platforms is seamless. Threads is designed to facilitate positive and productive conversations. Users have control over who can mention or reply to them within the app. Similar to Instagram, there is an option to filter out replies containing specific words. Blocking, unfollowing, restricting, and reporting profiles are easily done through the three-dot menu. Safety measures and the enforcement of Instagram’s Community Guidelines will be implemented within the app to ensure a secure environment.
In the future, Threads plans to be compatible with ActivityPub, an open social networking protocol established by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). This compatibility would allow Threads to connect with other apps that support the ActivityPub protocol, such as Mastodon and WordPress. This integration opens up new possibilities for connections and interactions between different social apps. Meta aims to provide users with more control over their audience, including the option to transfer content to another service.
The vision is to create diverse and interconnected networks, empowering users with choice and facilitating innovation within the open social networking ecosystem. Threads is now available for download on iOS and Android in over 100 countries. Meta plans to add new features to enhance the user experience, including improved recommendations and search functionality. User feedback will be crucial in shaping future updates and features for the app.
As Meta’s first app to embrace open social networking protocols, Threads represents a step towards a decentralized approach to online platforms, offering the potential for greater customization, community standards, and content moderation policies. Meta envisions a future where individuals can find their community regardless of the app they use, with Threads contributing to the growing ecosystem of interoperable services.
