Why Threads Has Staying Power (And How it Could Beat Twitter At Its Own Game)
The newest app from Meta (suddenly being referred to as the “fedeverse”... stay tuned for clarity) is Threads. Threads is a Twitter dupe, meant for text conversations with the option to include links, GIFs, photos, and videos up to 5 minutes long. What makes Threads different from doomed apps like Clubhouse (remember Clubhouse? 🦗)? Why am I so certain Threads can go the distance? How is Threads different (dare I say better) than Twitter? Keep reading and be sure to follow Ink & Olive on Threads HERE 😉.
For the many reasons why Clubhouse is barely a memory, read my blog post from 2021 about its pitfalls and why podcasts are the reigning audio platform. To summarize, Clubhouse promoted exclusivity and live content over accessibility and content longevity.
What Makes Threads Different?
Threads really can’t be compared to Clubhouse in any capacity, other than the fact that they’re both apps. Where Clubhouse was invite only, Threads is vying to be the most downloaded app. Where Clubhouse is audio based, Threads is text based. In addition, Threads is part of the Metaverse, giving it immediate name recognition and reach through Meta’s myriad of influential users/accounts like Facebook CEO, Mark Zuckerberg (11.7 million Instagram followers), Head of Instagram, Adam Mosseri (2.1 million Instagram followers) and the @Instagram handle (648 million Instagram followers).
Being part of the Metaverse provides user benefits as well. When I created my Threads account, I was able to easily connect it to my Instagram account (you actually have to have an Instagram account to create a Threads account), allowing me to pull over my handle and those I follow. This made it super easy to get started without feeling like I was starting from scratch.
Threads’ Staying Power
While users can add photos and video, Threads is primarily text based, making content creation easier than it is for aesthetic platforms like Instagram.
Threads’ relation to the Metaverse also lends to its staying power. What started as Facebook in 2004, acquired Instagram in 2012 (two years after it launched). Instagram grew in popularity as a photo sharing app, then evolved to offer features like Snapchat (Stories) and TikTok (Reels). Meta isn’t new to copying other platforms, which leads me to the number one reason I’m so certain Threads has staying power…
Because Twitter has had staying power.
How is Threads Different From Twitter?
Twitter launched in 2006 and quickly grew to be the king of short form, timely text posts. What’s the biggest difference between Twitter and Threads? Threads isn’t run by Elon Musk. Since Musk acquired Twitter in October 2022, its value has decreased by almost two-thirds and usage (among the site’s most active users) has declined by around 25%.
Last week, in an attempt to address “system manipulation,” Twitter imposed (supposedly) temporary limits to how many Tweets unverified accounts can view in a day. This opened massive opportunity for Meta to swoop in with Threads, an unadulterated text platform for limitless consumption.
While Threads’ interface resembles Twitter, there are a few key feature differences.
Threads does not currently use hashtags or offer search functionality. I predict these features will be available soon and that a bare-bones version of Threads was released in an effort to launch quickly (kick Twitter while they’re down) and to minimize crashes/issues as millions of people download and start using.
Threads allow up to ten photos per post (like Instagram), whereas Twitter allows 4.
Threads’ character limit is 500, which is more than Twitter’s 280.
I don’t typically embrace every new platform or recommend that my clients do so. But, as a member of the Meta family, Threads offers great opportunity for growth while integrating seamlessly with Instagram. Being an early adopter is a relatively easy lift with huge potential reach. To stay up-to-date on Threads news and changes, subscribe to my email newsletter here: