The most-awaited app, Instagram’s Threads is now officially launched and active for signing up.
Developed by Meta (Instagram’s parent company), Threads aims to capture the essence of what made Twitter great while offering a fresh take on social media messaging.
According to Meta’s official blog post, Threads is an extension of Instagram’s strengths, providing a positive and creative space for users to express their ideas.
While Threads bears similarities to Twitter in functionality, it sets itself apart with its decentralized ambitions.
Meta envisions a future where Threads seamlessly integrates with other social media platforms like Mastodon, presenting a different approach to Twitter’s restrictive API access for third-party developers.
However, interoperability is still in the works, and users’ primary concerns lie with the ease of use and the community of users present on the platform.
In this article, lets delve into the features, functionalities, and potential impact of Instagram Threads, the new frontier in social media messaging.
What is Instagram Threads?
While Facebook primarily focuses on videos and Instagram is known for its photo-sharing capabilities, Threads App takes a different approach by emphasizing the sharing of ideas and trends through text-based content.
Users will have the opportunity to post concise messages to a broader audience and engage in discussions when others share their thoughts, as shown in a screenshot preview.
Threads App aims to provide a platform where users can express their ideas, participate in conversations, and stay connected with a wider community through text-based communication.
How is Threads Different From Twitter?
Threads and Twitter are distinct in their core functionalities and approaches to social media. Here are some key differences between the two platforms:
1. Focus on Close Friends vs. Public Broadcasting
While Twitter is designed for broadcasting messages to a wide audience, Threads focuses on connecting with close friends in a more intimate setting. Threads allows users to share content exclusively with their selected group of close friends, fostering more personal interactions.
2. Emphasis on Private Conversations
Threads places a strong emphasis on private conversations and real-time communication with close friends. It provides a dedicated space for private messaging, enabling users to engage in one-on-one or small group conversations.
3. Multimedia Content Sharing
Threads enables users to share various types of multimedia content, including photos, videos, and links. Twitter, on the other hand, primarily focuses on text-based messages with limited multimedia capabilities.
4. Algorithmic Feed vs. Chronological Feed
Threads adopts an algorithmic feed, like Instagram, where the content displayed is a blend of posts from close friends and recommended content. Twitter, in contrast, allows users to toggle between an algorithmic feed and a chronological feed of posts from accounts they follow.
5. Decentralized Ambitions
Threads has decentralized ambitions, aiming to allow users to plug their Threads posts into other social media platforms in the future, promoting interoperability. Twitter, in contrast, has limited access to its API for third-party developers, leading to a more centralized ecosystem.
6. Different Parent Companies
While Threads is developed by Instagram, which is owned by Meta (formerly known as Facebook), Twitter operates independently as a separate social media platform.
These differences highlight the contrasting objectives and user experiences offered by Threads and Twitter. While Threads provides a space for private conversations with close friends and emphasizes intimate sharing, Twitter is known for its public broadcasting and real-time information dissemination to a broader audience.
How to Download and Signup for Instagram Threads App (both iOs and Android)?
To download the Instagram Threads app on your Android or iOS device, you can follow these detailed steps:
For Android:
- Open the Google Play Store app on your Android device.
- Tap the search bar at the top of the screen.
- Type “Instagram Threads” and tap the search button or press Enter.
- Look for the Instagram Threads app in the search results.
- To download the app, tap the “Install” button.
- Tap on the app icon to access the app’s home screen.
- If prompted, review the app’s permissions, and grant the necessary permissions.
- Wait for the app to download and install on your device.
- Once the installation is complete, you can find Instagram Threads on your home screen or in the app drawer.
For iOS:
- Launch the App Store on your iOS device.
- Tap the search tab at the bottom of the screen.
- Enter “Instagram Threads” in the search bar and tap the search button.
- Locate the Instagram Threads app in the search results.
- Tap on the app icon to access the app’s home screen.
- On the app page, tap the “Get” or “Install” button.
- Authenticate using your Apple ID, such as Face ID, Touch ID, or your Apple ID password, if prompted.
- Allow the app to download and install on your device. then click on “Log in with instagram”
After the installation is complete, you can find Instagram Threads on your home screen or in the app library.
- Login with instagram credentials
- Now Join the instagram threads by clicking on “Join”
Note – Users of Threads can log in to the app using their existing Instagram account. There is no alternative method provided to create a separate account specifically for Threads. By logging in with their Instagram credentials, users can seamlessly access Threads and enjoy its features, fostering closer connections with their close friends.
Once you have signed up for Instagram Threads, you have to
Grant Necessary Permissions: Threads will require certain permissions to access your camera, microphone, contacts, and notifications. Grant the necessary permissions to ensure a seamless experience.
Set Up Your Close Friends List: Threads revolves around your close friends list. Import your list from Instagram or manually add friends by searching for their usernames. This list will determine who you can share content with on Threads.
Customize Privacy Settings: Adjust your privacy settings according to your preferences. You can choose whether to automatically update your status based on your location or allow only specific friends to see your status.
Explore Additional Features: Familiarize yourself with other features such as status updates, camera shortcuts, and notification preferences. Customizing these settings will help tailor the app to your needs.
How to Get Verified on Instagram Threads?
To get verified on Threads, follow these steps:
1. Log into Instagram and Link Your Threads Account
Ensure you can log into your Instagram account successfully. Then, link your new Threads account to your existing Instagram account.
2. Apply for Verification on Instagram
Navigate to the Accounts Center on Instagram. Look for the Meta Verified tab and access it. From there, you’ll be prompted to activate two-factor authentication for added security. Follow the instructions and enable this feature.
3. Provide Legal Documentation
After activating two-factor authentication, you’ll need to provide legal documentation to prove your identity. This documentation is required by Meta, the parent company of Instagram. Submit the necessary legal documents as requested.
4. Approval Process
Meta will review your verification application. If they approve your request, you will receive verification status on Instagram.
5. Verification Extends to Threads
Once your Threads account is linked to your verified Instagram account, the legacy verification will kick in. As a result, your Threads account will also be verified automatically.
It’s important to note that verification on Threads is tied to your verified status on Instagram. If you are already verified on Instagram, your Threads account will inherit the verification status.
By following these steps and having a verified Instagram account, you can obtain verification on Threads, further establishing your credibility and authenticity on the platform.
Can You Add Multiple Accounts to Threads?
Threads is designed with user-friendliness in mind, which is why many individuals have opted to connect their existing Instagram account to the app for a seamless sign-up process.
However, if you wish to use multiple Threads accounts, such as having a personal and professional account, the app does provide a way to accommodate that.
Unlike Instagram and Facebook, where Meta allows users to effortlessly switch between multiple accounts within the interface, Threads currently lacks this functionality.
Instead, in order to toggle between accounts, you must navigate back to the login screen within the app. This means that simultaneously managing multiple accounts on Threads can be challenging as you cannot work on them concurrently.
The process to add multiple accounts to threads is mentioned below.
Ensure Instagram Login: Make sure you can successfully log in to all the Instagram accounts you want to use before attempting to switch between them in Threads. This ensures that you have access to all the desired accounts.
Add Multiple Accounts to Threads: After accessing the login page in Threads, select the option to switch profiles. This will allow you to add multiple accounts to Threads, syncing them with the app.
How Can You Switch Accounts in Threads?
To switch accounts in Threads, follow these steps:
Switching Accounts: Once you have logged in with your primary Instagram account in Threads and wish to switch to another account, go to your profile within the Threads app. From there, log out of the current account.
Login Page and Profile Selection: After logging out, you will be redirected to the login page. Here, you should see the other profiles you have added through Instagram. This selection of profiles will be available for you to choose from. Simply click on the desired profile, and you will be able to switch to that account.
By following these steps, you can seamlessly switch between different Instagram profiles within the Threads app. Whether you need to manage personal and professional accounts or connect with different communities, Threads offers a convenient way to navigate and switch between your associated profiles.
How Secured is Instagram Threads?
Instagram Threads prioritizes privacy and security to ensure a safe and trusted environment for users. Here are some important considerations:
End-to-End Encryption: Threads incorporates end-to-end encryption for messages, photos, and videos shared within the app. This means that only you and the intended recipient can access the content.
Control Over Status Sharing: You have full control over who can see your status updates. Whether you want to share your status with all close friends or restrict it to specific individuals, Threads gives you the flexibility to manage your privacy settings.
Blocking and Reporting: If you encounter any unwanted or inappropriate interactions, Threads allows you to block and report users. This feature helps maintain a positive and secure environment within the app.
Data Protection: Instagram, the parent company of Threads, follows stringent data protection measures. It is recommended to review Instagram’s privacy policy to understand how your data is handled and protected.
Instagram Threads FAQs
Ans: Yes, Threads is integrated with Instagram Direct, ensuring that your conversations and messages remain synchronized across both platforms. You can continue conversations from where you left off, regardless of whether you’re using Threads or the Instagram app.
Ans: Yes, Threads allows you to share photos and videos from Threads directly to your Instagram Story. Simply select the content you want to share, customize it with stickers or captions, and post it to your Story.
Ans: Absolutely. Threads offers granular control over who can see the content you share. You can choose to share content with all close friends or select specific individuals to receive it. This gives you the flexibility to tailor your sharing preferences to match your desired audience.
Ans: Threads is available globally, allowing users from various countries to connect with their close friends. However, it’s important to note that some features or functionalities might have specific availability or restrictions based on your location.
Ans: Threads is a standalone app available for download on the Play Store for Android users and the App Store for iOS users. However, the exclusive method to access the application is by logging in with your existing Instagram account. Currently, there are no alternative methods to create a separate account specifically for Threads.
Ans: Currently, Meta does not offer the option to edit a thread once it has been posted on Threads. If you need to make changes or corrections to a thread, the only available solution is to delete the thread and repost it with the necessary adjustments.
However, there is a possibility that Meta might introduce the option to edit threads sooner than Twitter did. Until such an update is implemented, we can only anticipate and await further developments from Meta regarding this feature.
Ans: While Threads allows you to include hashtags in your posts, it’s important to note that they are non-clickable and do not contribute to the reach of your post. The platform may consider implementing clickable hashtags in the future, but there is no specific timeline for this update at present.
Ans: Currently, it is not possible to import your Instagram followers in bulk to Threads. However, when your followers join Threads, they can choose to follow you on the platform.
The process of following your Instagram friends on Threads is similar. You have the option to either follow all your friends or manually select the ones you wish to follow, providing you with flexibility and control over your connections on the app.
Ans: No, Threads focuses on sharing content exclusively with your close friends list. Only the friends you select will be able to see the content you share on Threads.
Ans: Threads is primarily designed for one-on-one conversations with your close friends. While you can add multiple friends to a conversation, it is not optimized for large group discussions.
Ans: Currently, Threads is only available as a mobile app and does not have a web version for access on computers or web browsers.
Conclusion
Instagram Threads offers a dedicated space for connecting with your close friends, providing privacy, and fostering meaningful conversations.
By following the signup process, understanding the app’s features on different devices, and considering privacy and security aspects, you can make the most out of this exclusive social networking experience. Stay connected, share memorable moments, and strengthen the bonds with your inner circle through Instagram Threads.
Start exploring the world of Instagram Threads today and embark on a journey of intimate and engaging connections!
