Threads: everything you need to know
Threads is available in Europe as of December 14th, which you probably haven't missed. We had to wait for a bit, but we can finally join the hype around this new social media platform from Meta. But what makes this channel different, and how can you effectively use it for your organization? You'll find out here.
Threads: the newest Meta family member
On July 5, 2023, Meta introduced Threads: a new platform primarily focused on text, unlike its sibling Instagram. The platform had a flying start: despite only being available in Europe recently, it reached 100 million users in no time (read: 4 days!). Impressive! For comparison, Instagram took 3 years to reach 110 million users.
The rocket start of Threads is easily explained: creating an account on Threads is a breeze if you already have an Instagram account. For many social media enthusiasts, this was a reason to take a look at this platform, but what makes Threads so special?
Time to test it ourselves! As Coosto, we didn't hesitate to do so: follow us on Threads!
Threads distinguishes itself from other social media channels for several reasons, but the main one is this: Threads is set to become an open social network in the (near) future. By making the app compatible with ActivityPub, Threads becomes an 'interoperable' network. Those are a lot of technical terms, but what does that mean? Simply put, social media platforms will be connected: in the future, you could post on Mastodon or receive notifications from that platform via Threads, without having an account on Mastodon. An interesting development that Threads is currently working on.
Threads is already being widely used, now also in Europe. This gives rise to various ideas, myths, and opinions about the platform. But do they hold? We investigated this for you.
Myths arounds Threads
1. Threads doesn't comply with European privacy laws
The reason Threads was not immediately available in Europe had to do with not complying with European privacy laws. The seemingly user-friendly and quick connection to your existing Instagram account was the main reason the platform clashed with our privacy standards.
Fortunately, we can also debunk this myth: Threads can be used without an account, allowing you to bypass the issue.
2. Define your timeline with Dear algorithm
If you've already created an account on Threads, you've probably seen posts starting with 'Dear algorithm,' followed by a list of topics. There's a rumor that you can influence the algorithm, telling it where your interests lie to personalize your timeline.
But unfortunately, this is a myth. Meta confirms that this rumor is not true. The Threads timeline is not influenced by such posts but by the user's behavior. Just like on Instagram, what a user sees is determined based on signals like interactions with posts and accounts. You can't influence it with a 'Dear algorithm' post to teach the algorithm a lesson.
3. Threads is a text-only platform
Although Threads is primarily focused on textual content, this doesn't exclude other forms of posts. The main approach of the platform is sharing opinions, ideas, and thoughts in a maximum of 500 characters. This can be done through voice messages, images, and short videos. Moreover, you can include links in Threads posts, unlike Instagram.
Threads also announces that they are actively working on new formats. In 2024, you'll be able to enhance your text messages with colored text and the ability to add the 'party popper' emoji (🎉) to your post for some digital confetti on your screen.
So, the third myth is also debunked!
4. Hashtags are a thing of the past
Let's be clear: hashtags are still very much a part of Threads. However, Threads introduces a new feature with a similar function: Topic Tags. You can add one Topic Tag per post to indicate the theme of your message. This improves the visibility of your post on Threads, a crucial feature as social media channels are increasingly used as search engines.
To prevent the misuse of Topic Tags, the maximum is set to one tag per post. A tag can consist of multiple words or even a short sentence to provide more specific information about the related topic.
Not adding a theme via a Topic Tag doesn't mean your post won't appear in search results if it's related to that topic. The search function displays all related posts, whether a Topic Tag is added or not.
Web developer Max Mykhalchuk examined the most used topic tags and hashtags so far to demonstrate the difference in usage. As you can see, there are quite a few similarities between the two:
Conclusion: hashtags are certainly not a thing of the past, but Threads also brings innovation in this way.
How to use Threads for your organization
A new social media platform means new opportunities for your organization. But how do you achieve your social media goals on Threads? Here are some possibilities:
1. Engage with your followers
Threads is the ideal platform to ask short questions to your followers to gauge opinions. This can be done, for example, with the poll feature, but Threads also sets a good example by approaching it differently. Useful and innovative!
2. Increase your reach
A new platform, new opportunities! This relatively new platform provides a clean slate and, therefore, a new chance to reach more followers.
Additionally, Threads offers an excellent opportunity to bring your existing content to the forefront and experiment with new social media content. A breath of fresh air through your social media and content strategy, so to speak!
Moreover, the strong connection with Instagram makes it easy to promote your content cross-platform. With just one click, your latest Threads post can become an Instagram story.
3. Generate more clicks and conversions
Finally, Threads is also a great platform for conversion-focused posts. The ability to include links in your post is the perfect opportunity to direct followers to your website.
Threads currently doesn't have advertising options, which means your posts with a clear call-to-action won't be overshadowed by ads. Take advantage of this! Importantly, respect this and ensure relevant and valuable posts for your followers.
Threads is not done developing yet
Since Threads is still a relatively new platform, new developments are being rolled out at a rapid pace. Meta is actively working to continually improve the platform and increase user-friendliness. They make adjustments and enhancements based on user feedback. This platform is far from being fully developed, and we are very curious about what awaits us.
