Everyone is jumping at the chance to check out Threads, Meta's very own text-based social networking platform. In just one day, millions have already signed up, and millions more have been posted, which could spell trouble for the already collapsing Twitter.
Threads is Buzzing
Threads is a hit and Mark Zuckerberg could not be more proud of his new Instagram-based app. In under 24 hours, Threads reached about 30 million sign-ups. Even at its seven-hour mark, it already saw ten million new users joining in including celebrities.
Everyone wants to try out what it's like posting (what exactly do you call a Threads post?) on the app for the first time, and then publishing more thoughts after that. With all the excitement, new users have all contributed to a staggering 95 million posts, according to The Verge.
The app is new and everyone is curious, so the flood of posts might simmer down soon, but it's undeniable that its first day is a resounding success. Of course, some users are already pointing out issues about the app and comparing them to its rival, Twitter.
For one, users are not happy about the fact that deleting their Threads account would also mean that they'll delete their Instagram account. However, there is a certain convenience to it being linked to the photo-based social media platform.
Users will only need their existing Instagram accounts to create a Threads profile. They won't have to individually follow the accounts they've followed on the former app as well, seeing as they have the option to follow everyone they already knew on Instagram.
Threads will have to work on a few things before it can offer the services that Twitter can provide. For one, Meta needs to add a direct message feature so Threads users can send messages within the app and not have to switch to Instagram.
The main timeline also looks like a bit of a mess since it's a mix of posts from people that users follow along with recommended accounts. That may all change soon once people establish who they choose to follow and Threads might even add a "trending" or "explore" tab.
Leaving Twitter
Millions of users are quick to jump ship and head on to Threads, which goes without saying, could be trouble for Twitter. The latter's user count has already been dwindling before the launch of Threads and even more so now.
Looking at the trending topics on Twitter, you'll see phrases like "Bye Twitter." Some Twitter users are even promoting their Threads profile on their accounts. You can also tell that the Threads has become a real threat as Twitter plans to sue Meta for it.
Musk's lawyer Alex Spiro accused Meta of "systematic, willful, and unlawful misappropriation of Twitter's trade secrets and other intellectual property," as mentioned in CNN, wherein a former Twitter employee was hired by Meta. Musk expressed that "competition is fine, cheating is not."
Spiro added that Twitter will strictly enforce its intellectual property rights. Meta spokesperson Andy Stone immediately shut down the allegations stating that "no one on the threads engineering team is a former Twitter employee."
