What are Instagram Threads?
If you’ve been online lately you will have heard about the latest drama surrounding world-renowned interface Twitter; and while the future remains uncertain for them, Meta is now throwing its hat into the ring to build the next major microblogging platform.
Say hello to Instagram Threads!
The new kid on the block, the app appears to function much like Twitter, where “communities can come together to discuss everything from the topics you care about today to what will be trending tomorrow. Whatever it is that sparks your interest, you can follow and connect directly with your favourite creators and other like-minded individuals, or even build a loyal following of your own to share your ideas, opinions and creativity with the rest of the world.”
While Threads is connected with Instagram, this text-based app will stand alone. Unlike Twitter, the transition will be seamless with users being able to keep their Instagram handles, verifications and all of their existing followers, making switching over a significantly more appealing and likely option for those currently on the Twitter platform.
So, what does this mean for you as a creator? While the exact features of the new platform have yet to be confirmed, this is what we’ve heard so far…
Talk directly with your audience and peers: From text with links, photos and videos as well as the already familiar liking, sharing and commenting functionalities; with Threads you’ll be able to establish far deeper and more personal connections with friends, followers and other creators and businesses too.
Bring your fans with you: Instead of rebuilding a community from scratch, in just one tap Threads users will have immediate access to their existing Instagram circles from the get-go.
Take control of your engagement: Instead of just relying on calls-to-action within Instagram captions, you can now directly link engagement methods within a conversation. Especially for those looking to build a business from their following; with this new functionality, creators are in a much better position to drive traffic and divert their followers into other avenues of monetisation; while simultaneously shortening the overall user journey… something that we know has been an issue in the past for Instagram businesses. The app will even allow you to narrow down and specify the level at which this engagement occurs, as you will now be able to pre-select who can reply and comment on your threads.
Say goodbye to short and uninformative communications: Threads text posts will have a character limit of 500, in comparison to Twitter’s 280.
Although only expected to be released 6th of July, those of you looking to get a golden ticket as one of the first to join what could be the next big thing - the free download can now be pre-ordered from Apple’s App Store. Meta has also unveiled a countdown website for the app’s release.
With more than 3 billion people using at least one of Meta’s other platforms daily; who knows what could be in store for their latest venture. And while Threads may be launching at the perfect time to capitalise on Twitter’s turmoils, it’s ultimately up to consumers though, to decide whether or not they want Meta to rule yet another facet of their social experience.
Team Sudor