In a remarkable feat, Meta's new app, Threads, amassed an impressive five million sign-ups within its first four hours of operation. The app, which seeks to rival Twitter, offers users longer posts, boasts celebrity endorsements, and bears a striking resemblance to its competitor.
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Released ahead of schedule, Threads became available in 100 countries around the world, through the Apple and Google app stores, excluding the European Union due to regulatory concerns.
Several high-profile celebrities have thrown their support behind Threads. Meta revealed that early backers of the app include renowned figures such as Shakira and Gordon Ramsay, suggesting a potential draw for users seeking a fresh social media experience.
To access Threads, users are required to have an Instagram account, facilitating seamless integration for existing Instagram users. This feature enables individuals to follow the same accounts they already engage with on Instagram, making the transition to Threads more intuitive.
Threads distinguishes itself by allowing posts of up to 500 characters, significantly surpassing Twitter's standard limit of 280 characters. Additionally, users can share videos up to five minutes long, providing a platform for more extensive content creation. The combination of longer posts and videos offers users greater flexibility and expression.
Looking ahead, Meta aims to make Threads compatible with ActivityPub, a technology that underpins platforms like Mastodon. This compatibility will enable users to transfer their accounts and followers to other apps supported by ActivityPub. The move toward interoperability suggests Meta's commitment to creating diverse and interconnected networks.
Meta's vision for Threads encompasses real-time updates and public conversations, emphasizing inclusivity and multiple pathways for energy transition and climate change discussions. By fostering a positive environment for sharing ideas, Meta hopes to differentiate Threads from its competitors and attract a wide range of users.
The launch of Threads comes at a time of challenges for Twitter, which recently implemented tweet viewing limits as a response to concerns regarding data harvesting for artificial intelligence models. With Meta's entrance into the market, the competition between social media giants intensifies, capturing the attention of users worldwide.
In an interview with Reuters, social media commentator, Drew Benvie, says:
'' I think Threads is going to pose a huge threat to Twitter because it's coming from the Meta and Instagram family of apps. Instagram has 2 billion users compared to around 250 million of Twitter so it's about ten times bigger already. So if only one in ten Instagram users tries using threads. It's overtaken Twitter in the blink of an eye.''
Initial reactions to Threads' debut varied from cautious to enthusiastic, with some suggesting that Elon Musk, the founder of Twitter, should be concerned about the competition posed by Meta's app. This response highlights the potential impact that Threads may have on the social media landscape.
Meta has chosen not to include ads on Threads, at least for the time being. The main feed on the app consists of a combination of followed content and algorithm-recommended posts, offering users a diverse range of content.
Furthermore, Meta is committed to ensuring the safety of Threads users, particularly those under the age of 18 in the UK. By default, these users are assigned private profiles, limiting access to approved individuals and addressing concerns surrounding online safety.
While Meta's Threads enters a market already populated by several Twitter alternatives, the company's significant user base and reputation may contribute to its success in attracting a diverse user base. As the rivalry between social media giants continues to unfold, the competition for user engagement and loyalty intensifies.
Twitter's internal turmoil a contributing factor:
Social media commentator Drew Benvie also highlights the significance of the turmoil at Twitter, particularly since Elon Musk's involvement. Benvie notes that while Twitter previously had an active user base, it was not experiencing rapid growth. However, since Musk's takeover, the platform's performance has declined. Over the weekend, Twitter experienced downtime and implemented usage limits to prevent server overload. Regular users were restricted to viewing only about five minutes' worth of tweets per day. These limitations have prompted users to explore alternatives, including Meta's Threads app. Notably, Twitter's original founder, Jack Dorsey, has launched his own rival platform called Blue Sky, which has gained popularity amid the recent issues with Twitter.
You can follow Daryo's official page on Threads through this link (https://www.threads.net/@daryo.rasmiy).
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