On Thursday, Meta, the parent company of Facebook, officially introduced Threads, a new text-based microblogging platform. Designed to rival Twitter, Threads is linked to Instagram, Meta’s widely-used photo and video sharing app. Users are beginning to receive notifications about signing up and creating profiles on the new platform. However, Threads is currently not accessible in the European Union, although Meta has indicated that rollouts for EU users might occur in the upcoming months. To enhance user experience, Threads will include various safety and accessibility features similar to those available on Instagram.
Shortly after the platform launched, Meta’s CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced in a post on Threads that the app had attracted over 10 million users in less than seven hours. This rapid adoption is attributed to Instagram’s large user base, which exceeds 2.35 billion monthly users. If you’ve been notified via Instagram that your friends have joined Threads, here’s a guide on how to sign up and what to know about the platform.
How to Sign Up for Threads via Instagram
To join Threads, download the app from the Google Play Store or the App Store. Upon launching the app, you will be prompted to log in using your Instagram account. Your username and verification status will be retained, indicating that Threads is meant to function closely with Instagram.
If the Instagram app isn’t installed on your device, you will need to log in with your username and password. Afterward, you’ll be able to follow users you are connected with on Instagram. If you try to follow someone who hasn’t created a Threads account yet, the app will save your follow request until they join.
Content and Posting Limits on Threads
As you follow people on Threads, you might encounter posts from unfamiliar users. Adam Mosseri, head of Instagram, explained that these are algorithmically recommended posts meant to help users discover new accounts. The team is also working on introducing a followers-only feed that will showcase posts solely from users you actively follow.
According to Meta, users can post up to 500 characters, significantly exceeding the 280-character limit in standard Twitter posts for non-subscribers. Posts can also be shared to your Instagram story, along with multimedia content such as links, images, and videos. The Threads feed allows for image sharing in a carousel format, facilitating horizontal scrolling through multiple images.
Managing Follows and Unfollows on Threads
Users on Threads have the ability to follow and unfollow others, with notifications sent only when someone follows you. The app also offers a “Private” profile option, requiring users to request permission to follow. For users under 16 years old (or under 18 in certain regions), accounts will automatically be set to private. Users can delete individual posts, but it’s important to note that deleting your Threads profile necessitates deleting your Instagram account as well.
Blocking and Interaction Controls on Threads
Any accounts blocked on Instagram will also remain blocked on Threads. The platform provides options to hide specific replies to your posts, making them disappear for all users. This feature may be particularly useful for users experiencing trolling or harassment. In addition, Threads allows you to limit who can reply or mention you, with options to disable these features entirely.
Beyond blocking capabilities, users can set automated filters for certain words to keep them from appearing in their feeds, making it easier to manage unwanted content. Meta clarified that community guidelines established for Instagram will also govern Threads.
Threads and the Fediverse: Integration with Mastodon and Others
Meta has indicated that Threads will support the ActivityPub protocol, which facilitates interoperability with networks like Mastodon and WordPress. This suggests potential future integration that would allow Threads users to communicate with individuals on other Mastodon servers. This decentralized social networking feature, known as federation, could enhance connectivity across platforms.
However, it’s notable that several Mastodon instances are contemplating defederation from Threads, which may limit access for Threads users to the broader “fediverse.” Tumblr is also exploring support for the ActivityPub protocol.
