Threads by Instagram: Here’s how to use it

Mark Zuckerberg has announced the initial version of Threads, an app built by the Instagram team for sharing with text.

The new app provides a fresh and distinct platform for real-time updates and public discussions, catering to both creators and casual users.

Within Threads, individuals have the ability to share text and links, as well as engage with others by responding to or reposting their messages.

Moreover, users will be able to seamlessly transfer their existing follower lists and account names from Instagram which features over two billion users including prominent brands, celebrities and creators.

How to use Threads

Getting started with Threads is easy. You need to simply use your Instagram account credentials to log in, and your Instagram username and verification will seamlessly transfer over.

Additionally, you have the option to personalise your profile specifically for Threads.

For individuals who are under 16 years old (or under 18 in certain countries), the app will automatically set their profile to private.

You have the freedom to follow the same accounts as you do on Instagram, while also discovering new individuals who share similar interests.

Threads incorporates the fundamental accessibility features, such as support for screen readers and AI-generated image descriptions.

Your feed on the app comprises posts from the accounts you follow, as well as recommended content from new creators you have yet to explore.

Posts can contain up to 500 characters and include links, photos, and videos of up to five minutes in duration.

Tune out the noise

According to Meta, Threads has been developed with a set of features that promote constructive and positive discussions.

Users are empowered with the ability to manage who can mention or reply to them within the app.

Similar to Instagram, users can employ a keyword filter to hide replies containing certain words from their posts.

Taking control of their experience, users have the option to unfollow, block, restrict or report profiles on by accessing the three-dot menu. Meanwhile, any accounts blocked on Instagram will automatically be blocked on Threads.

Compatible with interoperable networks

The company is planning to make the app compatible with ActivityPub, the open social networking protocol established by the World Wide Web Consortium, the body responsible for the open standards that power the modern web.

This would make Threads interoperable with other apps that also support the ActivityPub protocol, such as Mastodon and WordPress – allowing new types of connections that are simply not possible on most social apps today.

Other platforms including Tumblr have shared plans to support the ActivityPub protocol in the future.

✨ Threads is here – a new app where you can share updates and join convos ✨

Use your Instagram account to log in and get started ? https://t.co/eEyTigO7WB pic.twitter.com/mCNsx33ZVg

— Instagram (@instagram) July 5, 2023

“We’re committed to giving you more control over your audience on Threads – our plan is to work with ActivityPub to provide you the option to stop using Threads and transfer your content to another service.

Our vision is that people using compatible apps will be able to follow and interact with people on Threads without having a Threads account, and vice versa, ushering in a new era of diverse and interconnected networks. If you have a public profile on Threads, this means your posts would be accessible from other apps, allowing you to reach new people with no added effort.

If you have a private profile, you’d be able to approve users on Threads who want to follow you and interact with your content, similar to your experience on Instagram,” a statement on Meta’s blogpost said.

What’s next?

Meta is rolling out Threads to over 100 countries on both iOS and Android platforms.

Individuals residing in these countries can access the app through the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.

Alongside the ongoing efforts to make the app compatible with the ActivityPub protocol, Meta plans to introduce several new features.

The enhancements include improved recommendations within the feed and a stronger search function, enabling real-time tracking of topics and trends.

Also read: Twitter to make TweetDeck available only to paid, verified users