Tech

Meta launches Twitter alternative Threads from Instagram

After months of leaks, Mark Zuckerberg has today announced their newest social media platform, Threads from Instagram.

According to Meta, Threads is ‘a new, separate space for real-time updates and public conversation’. The app will give Instagram users a place to share text – up to 500 characters – but you’ll also be able to share photos, as well as videos up to five minutes long. 

Threads is intrinsically linked to your Instagram acccount so when you login to Threads, your profile – including your verification if you have it – is imported and you’ll be given an option to have a private or public profile. Users under the age of 16 will find their accounts automatically set to private. The login process is also where you’ll be given the option to choose which accounts from your Instagram feed you want to follow.

Your Threads feed will comprise posts from these accounts, as well as ‘recommended content’ from people you don’t. The good news, for now at least, is that Threads is free from any ads, though that will change as the focus shifts from building a user base, as well as building features into the app. 

Once you’re in the app you can create new Threads which you can then cross post your Instagram Feed & Stories, and share your Thread as a link on any other platform, even Twitter if you want. 

While Meta aren’t saying anything about how Threadstacks up to Twitter, the comparison is there. We’ve seen a number of changes at Twitter over the past year since Elon Musk took the reigns, with some those changes encouraging some Twitter users to look for alternatives, something Meta would love to capitalise on. Some of those users have been looking to migrate to platforms including Mastadon which is a decentralised social media platform built on the open social networking protocol ActivityPub.

While Threads is launching in an insular capacity initially, Meta says they’ll be working to build in interoperability with ActivityPub and inviting all those platforms including Mastadon to feed in, though Meta will be announcing more on just how this will look in terms of ads, content moderation and more when they implement this.

The vibe of Threads is positive though, with more control being given to users to control who can follow them, or see their replies. When you sign in, any accounts you’ve previously blocked on Instagram will also be blocked on Threads. You can also choose to unfollow, block, restrict or report a profile on Threads by tapping the three-dot menu.

The Threads app is now live for both Android and iOS users on both Google Play and in the iOS app store. There is a basic web interface to view Threads though the app is the focus for now, however we may see more work on this in the future.

Recent Posts

  • Tech

2026 will be the battle of “RGB” in TV technology – what. the. heck. is. that?

If you're still catching up on Quantum Dots, OLED, Mini LED and are thinking that…

11 hours ago
  • Tech

NBN gets set for the final roll out of Fibre upgrades to another 600,000 homes

The NBN is getting ready to lock in the final stage of the Fibre to…

17 hours ago
  • Motoring

The stunning new BMW iX3 is a vision for the future realised as Neue Klasse comes to market

BMW has revealed the first new model to be designed and engineered under their 2025…

19 hours ago
  • Tech

Best in Smart Home – The SwannBuddy 4K Video Doorbell with AI wins at the IFA Innovation Awards

The SwannBuddy4K Video Doorbell with SwannShield™AI Voice Assistant has been given an Honouree accolade for…

1 day ago
  • Tech

360 degree security camera coverage and smart AI capabilities come to Reolink security lineup at IFA 2025

Reolink is a bit of an upstart when it comes to home security but having…

1 day ago
  • Lifestyle

LG unveil its AI plans for your home appliances at IFA 2025

LG has announced its vision for AI-powered living at IFA 2025 under the moniker “LG…

1 day ago