In the dynamic world of social media, innovative alternatives always emerge, aiming to capture the attention of users eager for fresh content and exciting digital experiences. Enter Threads, the groundbreaking social network created by the Instagram team, promising to combine the best of Instagram and Twitter into a single captivating platform.
What is Threads and how does it work?
Threads is presented as a microblogging social network specializing in short and concise posts. Created by Meta, the company responsible for Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram, Threads has been developed by the Instagram team, ensuring a smooth and connected experience.
This platform resembles a hybrid between Twitter and Mastodon, promising to offer the distinctive advantages of both. Additionally, it is linked to Instagram, meaning that your accounts on both networks are integrated into a unique and seamless experience.
Imagine having a "Twitter" within Instagram, but with a separate app. The best part is that if you already have an Instagram account, you don’t need to register again on Threads, as you can directly link your existing Instagram account.
Launched on July 6, 2023, Threads managed to attract over 10 million users in just 7 hours. This achievement is partly attributed to the challenges Twitter was facing at the time and also to the strength provided by Instagram's vast user base.
With over one billion users on Instagram, Threads has immense growth potential. Additionally, the presence of celebrities and brands on Instagram significantly contributes to attracting new users to this new social network.
In summary, Threads emerges as an alternative to Twitter created by Instagram, offering a similar user experience. To add even more appeal, Threads plans to become part of the Fediverse, allowing users to interact with Mastodon and other similar networks.
The functioning of Threads
This exciting extension of Instagram operates similarly to other microblogging networks. It allows you to create posts with text and also add photos or videos. Threads has a limit of 500 characters on your messages, which aligns with the philosophy of many Mastodon instances.
In addition to being able to post content, you can also respond to other people’s posts, share them, or quote them with your own comments. One of the standout features of Threads is the ability to directly share a post to Instagram Stories, fostering greater interaction between the two social networks. This way, if you have followers on Instagram who do not use Threads, they can still enjoy your posts through Stories.
At its launch, Threads featured a single timeline where content was displayed through algorithms. This means that posts from people you follow are mixed with those from other users who might discuss topics you’re interested in. However, Threads has announced that they are working on creating a home page where you can exclusively see content from the people you follow. It remains to be seen how much you’ll be able to enjoy content without the influence of algorithms.
Threads also offers options to search for other users and includes a notifications section where you can check replies, mentions, and interactions with verified accounts. Your profile will display a link to your account and a direct access button to your Instagram account.
You will be able to personalize your profile to be private, manage mentions, mute users who don't interest you, filter words, report posts, and block users. Although there are still many options to be implemented, such as the availability of Threads on the web, the inclusion of hashtags, and the ability to create user lists, these functions are expected to be added gradually over time.
It's important to note that, at the time of its launch, Threads has not yet officially reached Europe, although it is expected to comply with the privacy requirements set by the European Union for its subsequent arrival.
Threads in the future: a promising horizon.
The biggest promise of Threads is its aim not to be a centralized social network. To achieve this, it plans to implement the ActivityPub protocol, the same one used by Mastodon, which will allow its integration into the Fediverse. This will mean the possibility of interacting with Threads users from other Mastodon instances and vice versa. However, the potential limits that might be applied have not yet been revealed.
But what exactly is the Fediverse? While current social networks are centralized, meaning all content is stored on the servers of a single instance, such as Twitter or Instagram, Fediverse networks operate in the opposite way.
For example, in Mastodon, there isn't a single server. Instead, there's a network of servers and instances, and you can even create your own. User data is stored on the servers of the instance where they are registered, but you can still read the content of all users across all Mastodon instances.
The implementation of this technology in Threads means that it won't be necessary to register on this social network to interact with its users, nor will it require all users to be registered on Threads to communicate with you. You will be able to follow users from other instances of networks that use the same technology, thereby creating an interconnected and constantly growing ecosystem.
In addition to its vision of decentralization, Threads also promises to be a more impartial social network, distanced from the controversies associated with figures like Elon Musk. However, considering that Facebook has also faced its own controversies, it will be interesting to see how Threads manages toxicity and misinformation that are often found on other networks.
In summary, Threads emerges as an exciting platform that blends the essence of Instagram and Twitter, offering a unique microblogging experience. With its ability to link Instagram accounts, its promise to be part of the Fediverse, and its vision of decentralization, Threads has the potential to captivate a broad audience seeking new ways to connect socially and express themselves.
Juan Gómez
Content Creator/Community Manager
