Let’s check in on Threads
Threads has been out in the world for a few weeks now, but is the app here to stay or will it be another flash in the social media pan?
When Meta launched its new Twitter competitor, Threads, the app accumulated over 150 million users. However, the jury’s still out as to whether or not Zuckerberg can achieve what apps like Mastodon, Bluesky, and Spill have previously tried to do—dethrone Twitter.
Let’s look back at the first few weeks of Threads, the platform’s challenges, and any new features.
What challenges do Threads need to overcome?
It’s no secret that Threads has gotten off to a hot start, with Forbes labelling the app the “fastest-growing online platform in history.” However, there are still some significant challenges that Threads needs to address if it wants to defeat Twitter.
Threads is still yet to enter the European market
Considering that Threads is still yet to launch in Europe amidst data privacy concerns, the app’s numbers are even more impressive.
Speaking to TechCrunch, Threads confirmed that the platform is actively blocking European users from accessing the platform via a VPN.
“Threads is not currently available in most countries in Europe, and we’ve taken additional steps to prevent people based there from accessing it at this time. Europe continues to be an incredibly important market for Meta and we hope to make Threads available here in the future.”
Europe is a massive market for Threads, with more than 293 million Europeans already using Instagram.
Is Twitter suing Threads?
Whenever a “new” social media app hits the market, the threat of legal action is almost a certainty these days, and the launch of Threads was no different.
Remember when Elon Musk fired as many people as possible from Twitter after he was forced to buy the platform by a Delaware court? Of course, you do. Well, now Musk is claiming that Meta poached his ex-employees to help build Threads, sending a cease and desist letter just days after Threads hit the market.
Musk Tweeted, “Competition is fine, cheating is not.”
Competition is fine, cheating is not
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 6, 2023
While the threat of legal action from Twitter might be slightly inconvenient for Threads, we’re sure Meta has the legal resources and won’t lose too much sleep over what is seemingly an empty threat.
After all, Musk is too busy suing the lawyers who forced him to buy Twitter in the first place.
Should Threads be worried about Twitter’s Creator Ad Revenue Sharing?
In recent weeks, Twitter began paying out creators for ad revenue generated from their posts. However, there’s a catch.
To be eligible for a payout, creators must be subscribed to Twitter Blue for $8/month and have at least 15 million impressions on their posts within the last 3 months.
It’s an interesting move from Twitter.
Can Threads continue to sustain a high number of Daily Active Users (DAUs)?
As is the case with any new social media app, the real test comes when the hype dies down and the number of daily active users begins to drop.
While Threads may have had great success signing up curious new users, the app’s daily active users quickly fell to just 13 million.
Whether or not Threads can replace Twitter (now X) depends on two factors: increasing daily active users and X imploding or not.
Has Threads launched any updates?
While Threads was quiet on the update front in its first few weeks, some new features have recently started rolling out.
According to a post from Cameron Roth, a software engineer at Threads, the app should see the following new features/fixes soon:
- Translations
- Follows tab on activity feed
- Subscribe to unfollowed users
- Activity feed + on thread replies page
- Tappable reposter labels
- Open the IG followers list
- A few small crash fixes
- More binary size cuts
- A handful of other small bugs
Can I use Threads on desktop yet?
While Threads does have a desktop URL, threads.net (threads.com was taken), the platform remains mobile only.
Enjoyed this article? Enter your email below for social media tips & tricks delivered to your inbox every Monday morning.
