What is Instagram Threads? How to sign up for Meta app and new in-app features, explained
Meta has launched a new app, Threads, designed to rival Twitter as an ever-growing number of users become disillusioned with Elon Musk’s app.
Threads is linked to Instagram, which is also owned by Meta, and works in a very similar way to Twitter. The apps’ interfaces are close to identical.
It comes days after Mr Musk restricted the number of tweets users could see per day on his platform, citing extreme “data scraping”. It was his latest attempt to push users towards subscribing to the paid Twitter Blue service.
Meta chief executive, Mark Zuckerberg, said 10 million people signed up for Threads in its first seven hours. He said he eventually aimed to have more than one billion people on the platform.
How does Threads work?
Threads is extremely similar to Twitter. Posts can be up to 500 characters long and can include links, photos, and videos up to five minutes in length.
The app is linked to Instagram, meaning you can choose to follow the same accounts you do on Instagram when you sign up.
Your feed on Threads includes threads posted by people you follow, and “recommended content from new creators you haven’t discovered yet” – much like Twitter’s “For You” tab.
Who can see your own posts is determined by your profile’s privacy setting. When you start a thread you can choose who can reply to it. People can reply to your posts if they have permission, and can also like, share, quote or repost your content. You can share your threads to your Instagram Story, as well as to other platforms via a link.
You can unfollow, block, restrict or report a profile on Threads by tapping the three-dot menu, and any accounts you’ve blocked on Instagram will automatically be blocked on Threads. You can also mute specific words.
Instagram said in a blog post: “Our vision with Threads is to take what Instagram does best and expand that to text, creating a positive and creative space to express your ideas. Just like on Instagram, with Threads you can follow and connect with friends and creators who share your interests – including the people you follow on Instagram and beyond. And you can use our existing suite of safety and user controls.”
How can I sign up to Threads?
Threads is now available on iPhone and Android in the UK. You can download the app via Apple’s App Store or the Google Play Store. There is also a desktop site you can find at Threads.net.
The app is available to download in more than 100 countries, but not yet in the EU due to regulatory concerns.
You log into Threads with a connected Instagram account. Your Instagram username and verification will carry over, with the option to customize your profile specifically for Threads.
Everyone who is under 16 (or under 18 in certain countries) will be defaulted into a private profile when they join Threads.
Regarding data sharing, Instagram said: “We use your Instagram account’s data in accordance with Meta’s privacy policy to do things such as import your profile information, personalise your feed and help you stay safe on both apps. We may use data from Threads to personalise and improve your experience across Instagram and to promote the safety and integrity of our services.”
Data from your Instagram account is used for Threads and can include:
- your Instagram login information;
- your Instagram account ID;
- your Instagram name and username;
- your Instagram profile information such as your profile picture, bio and links;
- your Instagram followers;
- accounts you follow on Instagram;
- your age on Instagram;
- your Instagram account status relating to intellectual property violations and instances of going against Instagram’s community guidelines.
What has the initial reception been?
On Threads’ potential, Mr Zuckerberg said: “It’ll take some time, but I think there should be a public conversations app with 1 billion+ people on it. Twitter has had the opportunity to do this but hasn’t nailed it. Hopefully we will.”
He added that keeping the platform friendly “will ultimately be the key to its success”.
Mr Musk responded: “It is infinitely preferable to be attacked by strangers on Twitter, than indulge in the false happiness of hide-the-pain Instagram.”
