META’s launches new Threads platform to rival Twitter

META, the social media company which owns Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, is launching a new app to rival Twitter this week.

Threads is set to launch on Thursday, July 6, just days after Twitter owner Elon Musk announced new reading limits, restricting the number of posts users can access per day – a temporary move reported to be implemented in order to address data scrapping and system manipulation.

In his own tweet on Friday, June 30, the billionaire said unverified accounts would be limited to reading 1,000 posts a day, while any new unverified Twitter accounts, would be restricted to 500. Those paying for a blue tick verification have access to 10,000.

Since Elon bought Twitter for $44 billion in October 2022, his has implemented a raft of changes to the platform, which have proved unpopular with some users, spurring them to seek alternatives such as Mastodon and Bluesky.

The new META Threads platform is set to be the latest to try and benefit from Twitter’s downfall. Here’s what we know about the launch so far:

The platform will be based on ‘text-based conversation’

Promotional text about the Threads platform on the App Store says, “Threads is where communities come together to discuss everything from the topics you care about today to what’ll be trending tomorrow. Whatever it is you’re interested in, you can follow and connect directly with your favorite creators and others who love the same things – or build a loyal following of your own to share your ideas, opinions and creativity with the world.’

It will be linked to Instagram

While the app will be conversational-based, previews suggest people will be able to link their Threads accounts to photo-based app Instagram, even using their same handle to log in and access their existing contacts.

Threads will offer a similar user interface to Twitter

Features similar to Twitter, such as liking and reposting, look to be on the cards and limits to who can reply to posts.

Celebrities are already loving it 

According to online tech magazine, TheVerge.com, which previewed information about Threads under its codename ‘Project 92’ last month, the app has already had buy-in from influencers and household names, such as Oprah Winfrey and the Dalai Lama.

Want to keep up with the latest social media and digital marketing trends? Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.