An old kingdom falls.
A new one rises.
Does this shiny new kingdom have what it takes to withstand the trials ahead?
Will it succeed where its predecessor failed – or is it doomed to repeat the cycle of destruction?
Yeah, speaking of Twitter (the drama gift that keeps on giving), things have been getting real spicy lately.
And where some folks see drama, others smell blood in the water.
As Twitter has become a more and more chaotic online environment, new competitors have sprouted up: Mastadon, Bluesky, Spill, T2.
So far, none have managed to make a real dent in Twitter’s dominance.
Until now.
Meta (the company behind Facebook, Instagram, and Whatsapp) has just thrown its hat into the ring with the new app Threads, deemed by some to be the “Twitter Killer.”
Let’s look deeper and see what this new challenger is all about.
What is Threads?
Basically, it’s a text-based app very similar to Twitter.
Though, officially, it’s described as the text version of Instagram. And that’s been the key to its literal overnight success.
Rather than starting from scratch (like its other competitors), Meta is leveraging Instagram’s staggering 1 billion+ monthly active users to populate Threads right out of the gate.
In other words, if you already have an Instagram account, you can use your login info to sign into Threads. No muss, no fuss.
And it seems to be working.
After it launched, Threads rocketed past 30 million users within the first 24 hours.
This makes Threads the most rapidly downloaded app ever – beating the last record holder, which was ChatGPT.
How Does It Work?
Again, Threads is texted-based, just like Twitter. Though, in terms of looks, Threads echoes the visual style and navigation system you’ll find on Instagram.
Deepening the link between to the two apps, you can share your Threads posts directly to Instagram Stories.
On Twitter, each tweet has a 280-character limit.
But Threads allows posts to reach up to 500 characters.
Though… No one’s sure what exactly to call Threads posts yet. Should we just go ahead and call them “tweets” too? No idea.
The Big Launch
Threads launched in more than 100 countries (including the United States, Great Britain, Canada, Japan, and Australia), and in more than 30 languages.
Some key celebrities have already signed up, including:
- Oprah Winfrey
- Bill Gates
- Jack Black
- Shakira
Major businesses are also flocking to Threads:
- Netflix
- Reese’s
- Airbnb
- Nike
- Vogue Magazine
Privacy Concerns
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg stated that he’s focused on making Threads “a friendly place.”
Prioritizing user safety, Threads has implemented various measures such as enforcing Instagram’s community guidelines, and offering tools for users to control mentions and replies.
However, certain concerns regarding privacy have been raised.
Even though Threads has launched all over the world, there’s one place where you won’t find it.
The European Union (EU).
The EU has pretty strict privacy regulations compared to most other countries. Looking to avoid any penalties, Meta chose not to make Threads available in the EU – and there’s no launch date planned for the future at this point, either.
An Ever-Evolving Landscape
Threads may just be another Twitter clone that tries and fails to take on the old kingdom. Or it may be a game changer that’s just beginning to take its first steps onto the world stage.
Social media is a rapidly changing and ever-evolving landscape that can be difficult to navigate. It seems like there’s a new update or trend happening every week.
Keeping up with it all can feel overwhelming, especially for businesses looking to stand apart from the competition.
That’s where Smart Link Solutions comes in.
Our team offers customized development and management programs for a variety of social media networks – including Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram (and, yes, Threads).
We’ll work with you to create a powerful strategy that engages your current followers, grows your following, and increases your brand’s visibility.
With Smart Link Solutions, you can stay ahead of curve and make the most out of your online presence.
Want to know more about the social media management services available from Smart Link Solutions? Click here!