Introducing Threads: Meta’s Instagram-linked Twitter Clone

Meta‘s Twitter Clone, Threads, Set to Launch

The App and its Features

Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, is set to release its version of Twitter, called Threads, on Thursday, July 6th. The app is currently available for “pre-saving” on the Apple App Store and some users in Europe are already seeing it on the Google Play Store. The screenshots of Threads in the App Store preview reveal a user interface similar to Twitter, with features such as threads (posts), likes, replies, reposts, and sharing options. The app also includes a reply-limiting function that allows users to choose who can view their threads based on categories such as “Anyone,” “Profiles you follow,” and “Mentioned only.”

One of the notable aspects of Threads is its integration with Instagram. The app is listed as “Threads, an Instagram app” on the App Store, and users can log in using their Instagram credentials. The app also allows users to follow people on Threads from their existing list of Instagram followers. Additionally, blocked accounts on Instagram will remain blocked on Threads.

The Solution for Alienated Twitter Users

Threads may serve as an ideal solution for Twitter users who are committed to the platform but feel disconnected or disenchanted. It provides an alternative for users who struggle with other platforms like Mastodon, are waiting for an invitation to Bluesky, or simply don’t want to start building their network of followers from scratch on a new platform.

Meta‘s Anticipation Building Techniques

Meta is building anticipation for Threads in various ways. As demonstrated by Mike Isaac of The New York Times, typing “threads” into the Instagram search page generates a ticket emoji that indicates the countdown to the app’s launch. This marketing strategy shows that Meta is investing heavily in this app, which some have dubbed a potential “Twitter killer.”

The Perfect Timing and Twitter‘s Downfall

The timing of Threads‘ release couldn’t be better for Meta. On the same day as the Threads announcement, Twitter revealed that its popular power-user app, TweetDeck, will be placed behind a paywall in a month. This decision has caused frustration among TweetDeck’s dedicated users who benefited from its features but are now being asked to pay for them. This move by Twitter combined with other user dissatisfaction, such as the platform’s perceived bias and inundation of ads, may give Meta an opportunity to attract disenchanted Twitter users.

Musk, Meta, and the Threat to Twitter

Elon Musk, known for his frequent Twitter activity, has unintentionally given Meta an advantage by making the company look prescient. Musk’s influence on Twitter has led many users to question the platform’s effectiveness and consider alternatives. Meta‘s launch of Threads may capitalize on this sentiment and attract those users to its platform.

The Information Threads Receives

Ahead of Threads‘ launch, Apple’s upfront guide in the App Store provides a clear list of the information the app will receive from users. This transparency aligns with Meta‘s approach to privacy. It is worth noting that some individuals have criticized Meta‘s co-founders, Mark Zuckerberg and Jack Dorsey, for their role in creating the need for alternatives to Twitter in the first place.

In conclusion, Meta‘s Threads offers a potential alternative for Twitter users who feel alienated or dissatisfied with the platform. With its similarity to Twitter‘s interface, integration with Instagram, and the timing of Twitter‘s recent decisions, Threads may attract disenchanted users seeking a new social media experience. However, only time will tell if Threads will truly be able to compete with Twitter and gain a significant following.