Quick Points
- Threads is a new text-sharing app by the Instagram team.
- Users can log in with their Instagram credentials.
- Posts can have up to 500 characters, with options for links, images, and videos of up to 5 minutes.
- Threads is evolving to be compatible with open, interoperable social networks.
- New updates include sharing to Instagram DMs, a mention button, and editable alt-text for media.
Overview
The Instagram team introduces Threads, an innovative platform that creates a space for real-time text updates and broader public discourse. Threads aspires to be a bridge between Instagram’s core media-sharing ethos and the immense potential of text as a medium for communication.
Getting Started
Setting up on Threads is straightforward – users can log in with their existing Instagram account. Once logged in, the familiarity from Instagram translates to Threads, from carried over usernames to the option to personalize your Threads profile.
Special attention has been given to younger users. Profiles for users below 16 (or 18 in some countries) are set to private by default. Important accessibility tools from Instagram, like screen reader support and AI-generated image descriptions, have been integrated into Threads.
Features and Content
Threads will feature content from both followed users and recommended creators. Post lengths are capped at 500 characters but can be embellished with links, photos, or videos up to 5 minutes in duration. Sharing capabilities extend beyond the app, allowing users to post Threads content to their Instagram stories or any platform through links.
For a more controlled experience, Threads empowers users with tools to manage mentions and replies. Additional features allow for keyword filtering, enabling more wholesome interactions. Any blocklists from Instagram will also carry over to ensure a harmonized user experience. Safety remains paramount, with community guidelines and extensive content regulation measures in place.
Interoperability and Future Outlook
In a groundbreaking move, plans are underway to make Threads compatible with ActivityPub, the open social networking protocol. This opens doors for interoperability with apps like Mastodon and WordPress, facilitating diverse cross-app interactions.
Launching in over 100 countries for both iOS and Android, Threads is poised to redefine online text-based interactions. Future updates will focus on more personalized content recommendations and a revamped search function for a better discovery experience.
Feedback and community engagement are at the forefront of Threads’ journey, and the team looks forward to shaping the platform based on user insights and suggestions.
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August 13, 2023 Update: This post has been updated to reference Threads resources for small business owners:
How to Use Threads App: A Comprehensive Guide to Mastering the App