Meta launched Threads, a text-based social media platform to rival Twitter. In the app’s first seven hours, over ten million users signed up.

What is Threads like, and how does it compare to Twitter?

Users sign up with Threads using their Instagram login. All of the Instagram accounts you are following will appear automatically in Threads. Your Instagram username will carry over to Threads.

Users can post text up to 500 characters — which is greater than Twitter’s 280-character limit — and include links, images, gifs, and videos as long as five minutes.

Also Read: Facebook's Meta launches Twitter rival Threads

Threads resembles Twitter, with short, text-based content that can be liked, reposted, or replied to. Users can also quote a “thread,” and counters indicate the number of likes and replies a post has received.

The feed is minimalistic and slick, with a simple black-and-white color scheme.

Threads does not use hashtags, and users cannot search for specific text or phrases as they can with Twitter.

The app allows users to share up to 10 photos in a single post, which is the same limit that exists on Instagram. Twitter limits users to sharing four images.

Why are there so many people I’m not following in my Threads feed?

Since Threads was launched, users have complained about seeing, in addition to posts from accounts they are following, many posts from accounts they are not following. The Threads feed contains both accounts that a user is following and algorithmic recommendations, according to Meta. There is currently no way to only view the posts of the accounts you follow.

Can I DM people?

No, it is not possible to message other users.

Is it possible for my Instagram account to be private and my Threads account to be public?

Yes, it is possible for your Instagram and Threads accounts to have different privacy settings. If you’re under 16 years old, your Threads account, like Instagram, will be private by default.

You can make your Threads account public or private at any time and limit who can reply to your posts.

Where is Threads available?

Threads is available in the Apple App and Google Play stores in over 100 countries, including the United States, Britain, Australia, Canada, and Japan. Due to stricter privacy regulations, Threads will not be available in the European Union, at least until Instagram works out how data sharing between the new platform and its Instagram app will occur.

Will Threads have ads?

Meta has not yet indicated plans to monetize Threads, but the platform may have advertisements in the future.

Can I change my username?

It is only possible to log in using your Instagram login and keep the username associated with your Instagram account.

Is Threads moderated?

Yes, moderation is similar to what exists on Instagram. Threads will be stricter than Twitter and enforce content rules around hate speech that Twitter has largely ignored since Musk acquired the platform.

Why is Meta launching Threads?

Meta’s chief Mark Zuckerberg pitched Threads as a “friendly” rival to Twitter. Experts say that users dissatisfied with recent changes to Twitter might migrate to Threads.

With Twitter adding features under billionaire Elon Musk’s leadership, Meta is betting that users will prefer a simpler experience. In an interview with The Verge, Instagram head of product Adam Mosseri said that the recent “unpredictability” of Twitter created a need for a new text-based social media platform.

“Given everything that was going on, we thought there was an opportunity to build something that was open and something that was good for the community that was already using Instagram,” Mosseri said.

Zuckerberg said he plans on keeping the platform “friendly,” which “will ultimately be the key to its success.”

“It is infinitely preferable to be attacked by strangers on Twitter, than indulge in the false happiness of hide-the-pain Instagram,” Musk responded.

Zuckerberg said that he expects Threads to become “a public conversations app with 1 billion+ people on it.” He added: “Twitter has had the opportunity to do this but hasn’t nailed it. Hopefully we will.”

In the future, Meta has announced intentions to make Threads decentralized and allow users to transfer accounts to other platforms. Meta is working to make Threads compatible with ActivityPub, which would allow Threads users to take their followers and accounts to other social media platforms.