Meta’s Twitter competitor, Threads, has just launched and already surpassed 10 million sign-ups within the first seven hours, according to CEO Mark Zuckerberg.
By the time the west coast awoke, Zuckerberg reported that the app had accumulated over 30 million sign-ups “as of this morning.”
The app is now available worldwide, except in Europe, and its rapid signup rate highlights Meta’s significant scaling capability compared to other Twitter alternatives like Bluesky, which still operates on an invite-only basis.
To commemorate the launch, Zuckerberg tweeted for the first time in over a decade using the classic Spider-Man standoff meme, demonstrating his understanding of memes, unlike Elon Musk. He added, “10 million signups in seven hours,” on Threads.
Threads is Meta’s entry into the competitive social media space, challenging Twitter and alternatives like Mastodon.
The app falls under Instagram CEO Adam Mosseri’s leadership, who plans to make Threads compatible with ActivityPub, the protocol that powers Mastodon and other decentralized networks collectively known as the “Fediverse.”
The app is closely linked to Instagram, leveraging the platform for promotion. Users who pre-ordered Threads on iOS received a notification when the app launched, a tactic that likely contributed to the high number of sign-ups.
However, Threads has faced some early challenges. One major issue is the absence of a chronological, following-only feed; users are instead shown posts based on the app’s algorithm.
“95 percent of the posts I see are completely irrelevant to me,” complained one user. Additionally, Threads currently lacks post editing, hashtags, account switching, and more features available on Facebook and Instagram.
Mosseri has acknowledged these concerns, stating on Threads that a following-only feature is “on the list,” along with post editing and account switching. He also mentioned that hashtags will become tappable “in time.”
Another significant drawback is the absence of a web version of Threads. Similar to Instagram in its early days, Threads is currently read-only on browsers, with posting restricted to the iOS and Android apps.
Mosseri has yet to address this limitation. Additionally, the design of Threads has received mixed reviews, with some users finding it less intuitive compared to Twitter.
Verification remains a notable issue. Elon Musk’s changes to Twitter’s verification system mean only Twitter Blue subscribers and prominent public figures receive the blue check mark, leading to confusion about official accounts.
Currently, only users verified on Instagram (not Facebook) have received the blue badge on Threads. Instagram’s verification is known to be difficult to obtain, typically held by influencers and creators.
For Threads to compete with Twitter as a discussion platform focused on news, it might be beneficial to extend verification to Facebook users or establish a new verification system.
Threads is in its early stages and is expected to evolve significantly in the coming months. The varied user feedback will likely shape its development as Meta decides how to address these issues.
