Takeaways
- Threads, a new app from Meta, achieved unprecedented success with 30 million downloads in just 16 hours, surpassing ChatGPT’s record.
- Threads poses a serious threat to Twitter, given recent controversies and user dissatisfaction, with its user-friendly features and potential to attract disenchanted Twitter users.
- Threads combines elements of Twitter and Instagram, offering text-based posts with a 500-character limit and the ability to share photos and videos, aiming to create a positive space for real-time conversations.
- Users can sign up for Threads using their existing Instagram accounts, and the app is available in over 100 countries, supporting 30+ languages on iOS and Android.
- Meta plans to make Threads compatible with open and interoperable social networks, aligning with their vision for the future of the internet.
Instagram’s New App Raises Eyebrows and Sparks Legal Threats
Instagram’s latest offering, Threads, a real-time, public conversation app, has taken the world by storm. In a mind-boggling display of popularity, the app garnered a staggering 30 million downloads within a mere 16 hours. This unprecedented achievement has raised eyebrows and even drew the ire of Twitter, which threatened legal action against its rival.
Record-Breaking Success:
Threads, aiming to rival Twitter in the social media space, has achieved an extraordinary milestone. It surpassed the download rate of ChatGPT, the renowned chatbot, which took five days to reach one million downloads. Mark Zuckerberg, the CEO of Meta, the parent company of Instagram, Facebook, Messenger, and WhatsApp, expressed his excitement as the number of downloads soared. By the time he woke up on Thursday morning, Threads had already been downloaded over 30 million times, setting a new benchmark for app popularity. In fact, analytics firm Similarweb predicts that Threads may reach a staggering 100 million users within just two months, a feat previously accomplished only by ChatGPT.
Threads: The Potential ‘Twitter Killer’:
Threads, already off to a strong start, attracted 30 million sign-ups within a short period. Notably, the app appealed to a diverse range of users, including prominent brands, celebrities, journalists, and other influential individuals. The buzz around Threads rapidly spread, turning it into the top trending topic on Twitter and the most downloaded free app on Apple’s App Store.
Threatening Twitter’s Reign:
The rise of Threads poses a serious threat to Twitter, which has faced criticism since Elon Musk assumed control of the platform in October 2022. Twitter’s recent controversy over a temporary content viewing limit has left users disgruntled. With its intuitive design and user-friendly features, Threads has the potential to lure disgruntled Twitter users while expanding Meta’s empire of popular apps and advertising platforms.
Looks like Elon Musk is not very happy about this Meta roll out.
NEWS: Twitter is threatening to sue Meta over "systematic, willful and unlawful misappropriation" of Twitter's trade secrets and IP, as well as scraping of Twitter's data, in a cease-and-desist letter sent yesterday to Zuckerberg by Elon's lawyer Alex Spiro. pic.twitter.com/enWhnlYcAt
— T(w)itter Daily News (@TitterDaily) July 6, 2023
Exploring Threads: A Deep Dive:
Threads, developed by Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, resembles Twitter in many ways. The app offers a feed of text-based posts, allowing users to engage in real-time conversations. Meta has set a 500-character limit for messages posted on Threads, encouraging concise yet meaningful interactions. Similar to Twitter, users can reply to, repost, and quote others’ posts. However, Threads also incorporates Instagram’s familiar aesthetic and navigation system, with the added feature of sharing posts directly to Instagram Stories.
Public or Private: Flexibility for Users:
One noteworthy aspect of Threads is the ability to choose between public and private account settings. Verified Instagram accounts automatically receive verification on Threads, providing users with an added sense of authenticity. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg envisions Threads as a friendly public space for conversation, capitalizing on the best aspects of Instagram while fostering textual interactions and idea exchange.
Sign Up and Privacy Concerns:
Signing up for Threads is seamless, as users can log in using their existing Instagram accounts. Their username, password, and account name remain the same, though they can customize their bios specifically for Threads. However, some users have raised concerns about the app’s data collection practices. Similar to Instagram, Threads may collect various user data, including location, contacts, search and browsing history, and contact information.
Availability and Future Prospects:
Threads is currently available in over 100 countries, supporting more than 30 languages on both iOS and Android platforms. Meta aims to make Threads compatible with open, interoperable social networks, aligning with their vision of shaping the future of the internet.
Threads has catapulted to immense popularity with its record-breaking download numbers, attracting users from diverse backgrounds. As the app gains traction, Twitter finds itself vulnerable and under increasing scrutiny. With Threads‘ unique blend of features from Instagram and Twitter, it presents a formidable challenge to Twitter’s dominance. Whether Threads truly becomes the “Twitter killer” remains to be seen, but it undoubtedly represents the beginning of something remarkable in the realm of real-time, public conversations.
