Threads app attracts a massive user base within hours of its launch.
Ten million users have flocked to Meta's newly launched Threads app within its first seven hours, according to Mark Zuckerberg, the company's CEO.
Positioned as a "friendly" competitor to Twitter, which was acquired by Elon Musk in October, Threads has the potential to appeal to Twitter users who are dissatisfied with recent platform changes. With a character limit of 500, Threads shares many features with Twitter.
Zuckerberg emphasized the importance of maintaining a "friendly" environment for the app, stating that it is key to its success.
However, Musk responded by expressing a preference for being attacked by strangers on Twitter rather than engaging in the "false happiness" of Instagram.
When asked if Threads could surpass Twitter in popularity, Zuckerberg commented that while it would take time, he envisions a public conversations app with over one billion users.
He also noted Twitter's missed opportunity in achieving this goal and expressed hope that Threads would fill that void.
Critics of the app have raised concerns about the potential data usage, including personal health, financial, and browsing data tied to user identities, as indicated by the Apple App Store.
Currently available in over 100 countries, Threads is not yet accessible in the European Union due to regulatory apprehensions.
As Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, describes Threads as an "initial version," they have plans to introduce additional features, such as the ability to interact with users on other social media apps like Mastodon.
Meta aims to leverage the strengths of Instagram and expand them into a text-based format through Threads.
The release of Threads follows Meta's recent scrutiny over its business practices, including allegations of prioritizing profits over safety and mishandling user data, such as the Cambridge Analytica scandal.
While alternative platforms like Bluesky and Mastodon exist, they have struggled to gain widespread adoption. Threads benefits from its integration with Instagram, which already boasts hundreds of millions of users.
Threads enables users to share posts between Threads and Instagram, including links, photos, and videos up to five minutes in length. However, early users reported some difficulties with image uploads, suggesting initial challenges.
The app presents users with a feed of posts, referred to as "threads," from accounts they follow and offers recommendations. Users have control over mentions, the ability to filter out replies containing specific words, and various options to unfollow, block, restrict, or report profiles. Blocking an account on Instagram automatically extends to Threads.
Although Meta emphasizes its ties to Instagram, media coverage has likened Threads to Twitter, with some investors dubbing it a potential "Twitter killer."
In related news, Elon Musk, the CEO of Twitter, recently limited the number of tweets users can view per day on the platform, citing concerns about data scraping.
This move aims to promote Twitter Blue, the platform's subscription service. Twitter also announced that TweetDeck, its popular user dashboard, will transition to a paid model in 30 days.
Since Musk's takeover, numerous Twitter users have expressed dissatisfaction with the platform and its management, citing erratic behavior and political views.
Last month, Musk and Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg humorously agreed to a hypothetical cage fight, and Zuckerberg's early mentions of Threads showcased his interest in mixed martial arts.
While Threads is currently available in the UK, its availability in the European Union is uncertain due to regulatory concerns, particularly surrounding the EU's Digital Markets Act. Meta is exploring options to launch in the EU, as the act governs data sharing between platforms owned by large companies like Meta. Protecting user privacy remains a fundamental principle for Meta.