Meta To Launch Web Version for Threads

Meta's Threads will soon become accessible on desktops and similar devices.

Instagram head Adam Mosseri announced it is developing a web version of its Twitter rival Threads, allowing users to access the social media platform from their desktops and mobile browsers.

Meta first released Treads on July 5 to much initial success. However, the app's features were only available to mobile devices when Meta launched Threads to the public.

Accessibility For All Devices

Mosseri mentioned that Instagram is internally testing and developing a web version of Threads on Aug. 18, per the Wall Street Journal. Thanks to the company's efforts, the feature will become available anytime this week.

Previously, users must use their mobile devices to fully access Trreads' features and capabilities. Those that tried accessing Threads through their desktops will find they can't use all of the platform's features.

"We've been using an early version internally for a week or two," Mosseri said in a Threads comment. "Still needs some work before we can open it up to everyone though."

Alongside the arrival of Threads' web version, Meta is also releasing Threads' improvements to its search function, according to Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg's statement, per The Verge. As of press time, Threads' search function only allows users to search for usernames on the platform.

Despite the company's progress, Meta's launch plans for these features aren't final, said WSJ's sources. As such, Meta could release Threads' web version and improved search function at a later date if doesn't happen this week.

Threads' Rise And Current Situation

Meta's Threads has had a roller coaster ride since its July 5 launch. The platform enjoyed success in its first few weeks, garnering as many as 10 million users ten hours after it was released. Its weekly active users count even reached a fifth of Twitter's, according to intelligence firm data.ai.

This success was mostly due to Threads' Instagram integration, which makes the signup process for Instagram users easier and simpler to do. Because of this, Threads managed to solve the "cold start" problem new social media platforms face.

Unfortunately, because Meta decided to release Threads as a "very barebones Twitter clone," many users quickly got tired of the Twitter rival. Meta saw Threads' daily active user count drop by 50% two weeks after its release - from 49 million to 23.6 million (22% of Twitter's audience) in just a week, per Similar Web.

Meta has since been trying to patch up Threads' leaks to prevent more users from jumping ship by releasing updates and improvements to the platform. The company previously released post notifications for specific accounts and a chronological feed for users to enjoy.

Meta and Instagram may also be working on adding features users suggested, such as scheduling, light and dark modes, and the ability to sign up for Threads without an Instagram account. Whether Meta and Instagram are developing such features is still unclear.