Unravelling Threads: What we think of Meta's new social media platform

With the launch of Meta’s rival to Twitter taking the digital world by storm, we delved straight into this new platform. Amy from our marketing team shares her initial thoughts about Threads below.

Controversial opinion, but up until late, my favourite social media platform has always been Twitter. As someone who regularly devours content, including popular culture, memes and trends, Twitter was the place to be if you wanted to be in the know. Of course, that was before the events of the last year. Even I had to concede that the platform was becoming increasingly toxic and user-unfriendly.

Which is why when I learned that Meta was launching Threads, their own version of a text-based social media platform, I got a little bit excited.

Recently, there has been hubbub about other apps, such as Mastodon and BlueSky. Still, none of them seems to have sustained the traction needed to become a successful new home for brands exiting from Twitter. However, with the might and power of Meta behind it, I think Threads really has what it takes to become an integral part of the social media mix - once they iron out a few teething problems.

What I like about Threads so far 👍🏼

• Everyone is learning how to use it, setting the stage for some great content! The tone on the app is one of confused bemusement, and brands are using this to their advantage by interacting with users in a conversational, casual way.

• You can only access Threads via your Instagram account, meaning that, at the moment, we’re not seeing a huge amount of bots or other malicious accounts.

• Threads’ algorithm is undoubtedly still in a phase of learning. As it's such a new platform, this could be a great way to get your brand in front of people who might not have seen it before.

Things I’d like to see on Threads soon 👀

• The feed is chaotic at the moment as it shares anything and everything with you, even content that is not relevant. At the very least, it would be good to filter content by your followers.

• There is no search function for content - so hashtags have been rendered pretty useless, and it’s tough to connect with specific communities or contribute to live conversations. This was definitely a USP of Twitter, so one for the developers of Threads to implement as soon as possible.

• Would it be too much to ask for a GIF function on the app?

How can you make the most out of Threads? 🧵

• If you have an Instagram account, getting started on Threads is easy. During set-up, you can use your Instagram details to populate your profile - making it quick and simple to get threading! You can also mass-follow any of your Instagram followers if they have a Threads account, meaning you’re not starting from scratch.

• Create content! At the moment, informal copy paired with memes is gaining the most engagement for us. With everyone finding their feet, it’s a great time to try different types of content to see what works for you.

• Whilst there doesn’t seem to be that pesky character limit that Twitter is infamous for, we’d recommend keeping your content short and sweet.

There’s still lots to learn about Threads, and Meta has stated that there’s more development on their side to be done. However, despite a few glitches, I’m excited about Threads and its potential for brands to connect with their audiences in new, exciting ways.

Could your brand do with a social media overhaul? Or do you need a hand managing your platforms? We’re here to help! Get in touch with our friendly team today, and we’d be happy to have a chat!