Meta’s forthcoming Twitter competitor, Threads, which is closely integrated with Instagram, is expected to make its debut on July 6th. The app has recently surfaced on the iOS App Store, offering a glimpse into its potential release date. Although initial reports had suggested a late June launch, the app’s arrival is now anticipated to align with a time when Twitter users may be more receptive to exploring alternative platforms.
In light of Twitter’s recent implementation of limitations on tweet accessibility for unverified accounts, Threads arrives as a potential solution. Elon Musk, in a public statement, disclosed that verified accounts, corresponding to paying users, will have the ability to read up to 6,000 posts per day, whereas unverified/non-paying users will be restricted to just 600 posts. Twitter introduced these measures to counteract excessive data scraping and system manipulation. Consequently, non-paying users who have not subscribed to the $8 to $11 monthly fee for the blue verification checkmark have found themselves locked out of their feeds due to the ease with which the 600-post limit is reached.
Threads is being described by Meta as an “Instagram’s text-based conversation app.” From the screenshots displayed in the app listing, it appears that users will be able to retain their Instagram handles and continue following the same accounts they currently do on the popular photo-sharing platform. This seamless integration grants users an established following and network, giving Threads an advantageous position compared to other Twitter competitors. Additionally, users will have the freedom to select the privacy settings for their posts, making them visible to the public, only to their followers, or solely to the accounts they mention. The app will also enable users to like, send, and share other users’ posts.
Although earlier reports indicated that Meta’s Twitter alternative would be a decentralized service compatible with Mastodon, it remains uncertain whether this feature will be available upon its launch. Further clarification regarding this aspect is expected in the coming days.
