How to use Meta’s Threads
Is Threads already dead? Everything you need to know about this social media platform in 2024
Have you heard about, or are you using Threads?
Created by Meta (the creators of Facebook & Instagram), Threads burst onto the social media platform scene in mid-2023 and made headlines as the fastest-growing software application ever!
It only took Threads 1 hour to reach 1 million active users. These figures continued to boom, with 10 million users in 7 hours and then over 100 million users in the following 5 days.
As a quick comparison, it took the wildly popular ChatGPT 5 days to reach 1 million users.
But as quickly as it grew, it now seems the buzz around this shiny new social media platform has died off.
So, let’s explore!
What is the Threads social media platform?
If you’re an X fan (Twitter’s new name), you’ll be aware of how the popularity of this platform dropped when Elon Musk took over and rebranded the entire network.
The intelligent creator of the Meta Platforms, Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp (i.e. Mark Zuckerberg), was quick to take advantage of Elon’s failing platform by creating Threads.
When you use Threads, you’re able to share text posts (capped at 500 characters), images and videos that are up to 5 minutes long. You engage with your audience by receiving responses, reposts and likes.
Like Instagram, users tap on the heart to ‘like’ a post, reply, and add it to their story. Perhaps the biggest difference from Instagram is that users are able to repost or quote a Thread by adding their own caption (sounds like a ‘retweet’ hey!).
Meta was clever to create a digital universe that’s easy to use
Meta, always looking at being one step in front of its competitors and making social media easy to use, went one step above others with their online accounts.
Any user who already has an Instagram account can instantly log into Threads using this account.
Pretty clever, hey (and perhaps a tad strategic)!
It was a super easy way for Threads to get a tonne of users quickly, as people didn’t need to create new accounts.
So, why are people saying Threads is dead?
I guess it’s a case of the bigger they are, the harder they fall…
It seems many people jumped on Threads when it launched in July 2023 as it was easy to do, and they wanted to check out the new X rival.
So, although Threads boosted a whooping 100 million active users within 5 days, this continued to decrease, with a reported 73 million active users in December 2023.
What made Threads crumble?
Available on iOS and Android, Threads had limited functionality as a web-based version (e.g. no hashtags or direct messaging, which are popular on other platforms).
People started complaining about these limitations and missing features, which led to Threads losing users.
Perhaps it’s also the friction that Meta has with the European Union (they don’t like Meta’s data processing policies) that has slowed down its growth, as the platform hasn’t been approved for use in these countries.
But, despite these setbacks, I don’t think you can say Threads is ‘dead’.
In true Zuckerberg style (he doesn’t like failure), the Threads platform is continuing to evolve and address its shortcomings with desktop support and a follower feed.
FYI: Threads has been lapped up by celebrities!
If you’re an avid fan who loves following your favourite celebrity, you may be interested to know the top celebs and influencers currently on Threads:
1. MrBeast
2. Kim Kardashian
3. Selena Gomez
4. Shakira
5. Jennifer Lopez
6. Mark Zuckerberg
7. Khloe Kardashian
8. Kourtney Kardashian Baker
9. Ellen DeGeneres
10. Olivia Rodrigo
Are you going to join them and get on Threads too?
Wondering if you should add Threads to your social media planning?
If you’re unsure of whether Threads will fit in nicely with your social media plan, let’s chat. Many X users have made the leap (at least to try it out), and if you’re already using Instagram, it can be an easy addition.
As a social media manager, I love working with my clients, keeping them updated with what’s happening in the social media world, and trying new platforms to boost engagement.
Please email me to connect or ask me about using Threads in your business.
If you’ve already hopped on the Threads platform for a look, I’d love to hear your thoughts about it. Please drop them in the comments below.