Have you heard of the new social media app called Threads? If you’re a social media manager, it could very well be the next big platform you’ll need to get familiar with.
Here’s everything you need to know about it so far.
What is the Threads App?
Last July 5, 2023, Meta just launched an app called Threads which allows users real-time public conversations through short and concise posts.
Basically, it’s Meta’s take on Twitter.
As of this writing, users can sign up and connect their Instagram accounts to create a Threads account.
Should You Even Bother Learning Its Ins and Outs?
So what? It’s another social media channel. What’s the big deal? Should social media managers bother with it?
The short answer is yes.
Instagram has 2 billion active users compared to Twitter’s 250 million. And with the controversies surrounding Twitter’s management, many users are looking for alternatives.
In just the first 7 hours, Threads had 10 million sign-ups. And as of this writing, that number has risen to well over 100 million already.
On Twitter, some viral tweets can spark full-on marketing campaigns. For example, a South African couple was mocked by a news reporter after a KFC proposal. Brands were quick to capitalize on this by giving the couple their dream wedding — even Audi jumped on board.
Some tweets even caused big economic movements, such as the viral tweet of the fake Eli Lilly account (who subscribed to Twitter Blue). The incident sunk their stock price by 4% in just a couple of hours.
So, Threads has the same potential -magnified by Instagram’s wider reach.
What Can You Do in Threads So Far?
Threads is a lot like Twitter. Users can post a thread with 500 characters, along with a photo and video.
They can also reply, repost, and quote thread posts.
Also, users can opt to import the accounts they follow on Instagram to Threads. So if your client has an online presence on IG, you can also use it to your advantage.
And if you’re verified on IG, you’re automatically verified in Threads.
The notable difference is that Threads is more visually aesthetic than Twitter. Also, you can share your Thread post directly on your IG stories.
Some Missing Features
Threads is still in its early stages. For now, you can’t direct message (DM) people and edit your posts.
Also, there are no “trending topics” or support for hashtags yet. The desktop version isn’t currently available as well.
As for your target audience’s feed, they can only see posts from the accounts they follow and some occasional random posts from other popular accounts. There are no clear discoverability algorithms yet.
Moreover, if someone decides to delete their Threads account, they have to erase their main Instagram account as well. So there’s no turning back if they activate Threads.
Lastly, there’s no functionality to run ads on the platform just yet. But we can expect that real soon.
New Engagement Tool
For now, social media managers can treat Threads as a new engagement tool.
The allure of this new social media platform lies in the real-time interaction between your followers.
Done well, you can cultivate loyal followers by starting discussions, responding to questions, and maybe engaging in some occasional banter.
So when Threads fully launches its ad tools and discoverability algorithms, your clients can reap the rewards and grow their businesses.
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