The newly launched Threads by Instagram has already amassed 100 million users in less than a week. The app, primarily designed for text messaging, saw a meteoric rise in the number of sign-ups in the first 48 hours. And according to all the Threads badges popping up on users’ Instagram profiles, there are currently over 100 million users using the app.
At 70 million signups Meta’s CEO Mark Zuckerberg posted that the number of sign-ups exceeded their expectations. At 100 million, he mentioned that the sign-ups resulted from mostly organic demand without many promotions. Achieving 100 million users faster than ChatGPT, TikTok, and Instagram.
For reference:
- ChatGPT managed to reach 100 million users in two months.
- TikTok reached 100 million users in nine months.
- Instagram only managed to reach 100 million users in two and half years.
Image source: Visual Capitalist
The link between Threads and Instagram makes it easy for the existing 1.6 billion Instagram users to signup to the app and start using it right away.
How has Twitter responded?
Twitter’s response to its now main competitor, Threads, was a letter threatening to sue Meta for hiring former Twitter employees with access to trade secrets.
The letter addressed to Mark Zuckerberg accuses Threads of engaging in “systematic, willful, and unlawful misappropriation of Twitter’s trade secrets and other intellectual property.” And states that “Twitter intends to strictly enforce its intellectual property rights, demanding that Meta take immediate steps to stop using any Twitter trade secrets or other highly confidential information”.
It also mentions that “Twitter reserves all rights, including, but not limited to, the right to seek both civil remedies and injunctive relief without further notice to prevent any further retention, disclosure, or use of its intellectual property by Meta.”
How to download Threads
The app is available on the App Store and the Google Play Store and is free to download. Once downloaded, users can sign up using their Instagram username.
How to use Threads
When signing up, users are given the option to follow the same people as they do on Instagram. Once signed up the app allows you to see the latest posts on your home feed, search for new people to follow and see notifications.
When posting, users can include up to 500 characters of text, five minutes of video and ten images per post. Threads can be shared as Instagram posts, Stories, and can even be shared to other social media channels, such as Twitter and other social media networks.
Who is using Threads?
With over 100 million users on the app, everyone from celebrities, brands and influencers can be found on Threads, including Mark Zuckerberg himself.
Official definitions from the Threads Dictionary
The @threadsapp account has an official dictionary to assist users with the proper terms for the social media app.
Screenshot from Threads.net, July 2023
Privacy concerns
Some users who downloaded and read the privacy disclaimers for Threads have become quite concerned with the large amount of data linked directly to their identity. Among them was Jack Dorsey who tweeted about the app’s private data requirements along with Elon Musk who chimed in to draw attention to the app’s privacy policy.
If anything, it’s a stark reminder that you are the product when using social media services and the amount of data that they collect from its users is frightening.
Can you delete your Threads profile?
Since the app is powered by Instagram, you can’t delete your Threads account without deleting your Instagram account.
Something to think about before downloading it and signing up.
This isn’t the first version of Threads
This isn’t the first time Instagram’s Threads has been introduced. Back in 2019, Instagram’s first attempt at Threads as a camera messaging app was launched with the intention of sharing photos, videos and status updates with a close circle of friends.
This earlier version of Threads was created as a stand-alone app that allowed users to have dedicated inboxes and notifications for their close friends lists. But the app turned out to be a failure and ultimately shut down in 2021.
Screenshot from Internet Archives/App Store, July 2023
Could Threads become the new Twitter?
Since the app is already connected to Instagram, it comes with a potential audience of billions of people who already use Instagram. But users are also very much aware that Threads comes with a bunch of Meta baggage, including contentious privacy policies, non-transparent algorithms, and big tech monopoly power. Which has understandably turned people off of social media apps like Facebook and other Meta-related platforms.
So the question of could Threads become the new Twitter remains to be seen and only time will tell which microblogging platform will emerge victorious.
