We tried out Meta's new Threads app and it's lacking some crucial features
A game-changing moment in the world of social media or a potential disappointment waiting to be forgotten, reminiscent of the fate of Bebo and House Party (do you remember those?).
Brace yourself for the arrival of Threads, the social media app crafted by the masterminds behind META, the same company that owns Facebook and Instagram.
And it has already made an entrance. Within hours, Threads had notched up 10 million users, according to Meta chief Mark Zuckerberg.
And it's safe to say that social media managers have all been scrambling to come up with their first funny post to kick-start their companies Threads presence.
As was I, being among the "pioneers" to be the first to set up an account at midnight. Here's how I got on.
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An app to rival Twitter from the creators of Facebook (Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)Let's get started
Amongst the sea of unfortunate small apps that shared the same name (may they rest in peace), I finally stumbled upon the coveted Threads by Meta on the app store.
The Threads app was easily downloaded from the Apple Store (or Google Play) onto an Android or iOS device- there is currently no desktop version.
Upon downloading, I was greeted with a prompt to link my Instagram account for the sign-up process. And just like that, I officially became a Threads user. Find me on insta and Threads on @lu_williamson.
I jumped on the bang wagon and started with a pun to my 46 followers :(Thanks to the Instagram integration you already have a profile picture and you can even import your bio. Your username is the same and verified profiles, even paid ones, will retain their coveted blue tick on Threads (sadly I am not one of them, hello Meta if you are reading this).
It's important to note that access to Threads is exclusively granted by integrating an existing Instagram username during the sign-up procedure. In other words, if you don't already have an Instagram account, you'll need to create one to gain entry into this new social platform.
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Those who already have an Instagram account can use their login details to sign into the app, with users being able to select if they want a private or public profile before they start posting.
But the Instagram integration may have had unintended consequences. Columnist from the Guardian Owen Jones wrote on Threads: "Because Threads following is based on who you follow on Instagram, my feed is dominated by queer guys I met at 3am on a night out. Slightly different vibe from Twitter."
What it's like
Visually, Threads looks similar to Twitter, with options to post, quote a thread, search, like and reply to posts and view "activity" linked to what you post – which is also the case for Twitter through "notifications."
As more accounts hit the timeline, the puns were flowing freely, and the jabs at Twitter and its billionaire owner continued.
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The puns ranked from pretty funny to hilarious: "Give us this day our daily thread" (that was me, sorry) and "let's get thready to rumble" were among the posts I saw upon a casual scroll.
Meanwhile, large corporations are already jumping on the bandwagon, Netflix recently posted: "What's something you can say during s*x but also when you are trying to figure out how to use Threads?"
Celebrities have already begun flocking to Threads , with Chef Gordon Ramsey posting: “Is this where I find the lamb sauce??”, businessman Richard Branson wrote: “Thready, steady, go.”
Others have just jumped straight in with content, posting pictures of their outfit, lists of their favourite books and I even saw a therapist going straight in with some daily advice that was gaining traction.
Ultimately, no one knows what the hell to write, so it will be interesting to see what gets picked up in the bizarre algorithm.
YouTuber MrBeast was the first to make history on the app - as the first person to reach 1 million followers on Threads. Puts my 46 followers to shame.
MrBeast’s bio on Threads reads: “Future Threads CEO”, and he earned a following of 1 million after posting just three times.
I can only describe it as a hybrid between Twitter and Instagram, as if they had a child together. Alternatively, it resembles an early prototype of Twitter, with a somewhat basic interface - it is missing quite a lot.
What it doesn't have
- Adverts (for now)
- Hashtags - so there is no facility to search for trending topics
- A feed of just people you follow - your "timeline" is a mish mash of people you follow and other seemingly random accounts.
- A website - you have to join on your phone - no desktop version
- Direct messaging
- A substantial search component - the only thing you can search is your own followers
Adam Mosseri, head of Instagram and now Threads, says the ability to see posts only from people a user follows is “on the list," but the choice to launch without it dismayed many on day one.
Someone posted: "No hashtags, no likes, no explore page, no way to actually see what my followers are posting (I've been staring at the same 2 threads on my timelines since 2am. We are in the pits.
The verdict
Whether or not the initial enthusiasm lasts beyond the first flush of FOMO remains to be seen. Threads is very text-heavy which could come as a detriment as people are increasingly seeking heavily visual platforms, like TikTok. How long can the platform last?
Meta described Threads as a “new, separate space for real-time updates and public conversations”, aiming to “take what Instagram does best and expand that to text, creating a positive and creative space to express your ideas”
It appears Threads, unlike instagram, Threads intends to focus less on appearance and more on real conversations. Perhaps that's exactly what the doctor ordered for the instagram generation.
That’s it. This is all you need to know. Go forth and Thread lightly.
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