malvernmugadzikwa
THE past couple of weeks were quite interesting in the social media space.
4IR Simplified
John Tseriwa
On Wednesday, July 5, 2023, Meta — the parent company of Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp — launched Threads.
Within 24 hours of its launch, the platform garnered a staggering 30 million sign-ups by, among others, numerous brands, celebrities and journalists.
Threads is a groundbreaking conversation app poised to challenge Twitter’s dominance in the social media realm. Unlike other restricted apps, Threads breaks barriers and welcomes all users.
Backed by Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, the app was unveiled after months of speculation and secrecy, with rumours starting to swirl in March 2023.
The standalone platform has garnered significant attention and has been hailed as a potential game changer in the social media landscape.
Meta believes there is an opportunity for a separate space where creators and public figures can share timely updates about their interests.
The launch of Threads not only heightens competition in the social media space, but also adds fuel to the ongoing rivalry between Zuckerberg and Elon Musk.
These two tech moguls have had public feuds on various topics, including artificial intelligence and rockets.
The two billionaires have even threatened to settle their differences in a cage match.
But what has really happened at Twitter since Musk acquired it in October 2022 for US$44 billion?
To transform Twitter into an all-inclusive app, Musk has adjusted its algorithm, verification programme and tweet-reading limits.
These changes have created an opportunity for alternative platforms like Threads to capture the attention of social media users.
The serious threat to Twitter is the rapid adoption of Threads.
Twitter went live in July 2006 and took significantly longer to reach the milestone recently reached by its
rival.
So, what are these “Threads” and why are people saying they will “kill” Twitter?
Threads lets users share brief text posts on its chat-oriented platform.
The app works independently, but needs an Instagram account for registration.
In a verified Threads post after the launch, Zuckerberg stated that he envisioned the platform as a space for candid and amicable conversations.
He said they intended to take advantage of what Instagram excelled at, and design a new experience based on text, concepts and dialogue.
Traditionally, Twitter had a 140-character limit per tweet, which was revised to 280 characters per tweet.
However, Threads offers a generous 500 characters per thread.
A glaring difference is that, unlike Twitter, Threads does not yet offer a way to chat privately with other users.
However, this might change as the app evolves.
You will not see “trending topics” on Threads and the search bar seems to only pull accounts rather than topics or posts.
If you do not have an Instagram account, it is unfortunate. There is currently no other way to log into Threads, apart from your Instagram account.
Hopefully, this will change soon.
For those in love with desktop apps, Threads will be a disappointment as it can only be accessed on Android and ios devices.
It may be too early to predict its long-term impact on Twitter, but Meta’s entry into the conversation space has intensified competition within the social media landscape.
With its impressive initial sign-up numbers and the backing of Zuckerberg, the app has the potential to disrupt Twitter’s dominance and attract users looking for a platform that combines the best aspects of Instagram and Twitter.
As the rivalry between Zuckerberg and Musk continues to unfold, the battle for supremacy in the social media realm adds another layer of excitement.
Whether Threads will “kill” Twitter remains to be seen, but it undeniably presents a compelling alternative for users seeking a new and refreshing social media experience.
With time, we shall witness how these platforms evolve and shape the future of online conversations.
John Tseriwa is a tech entrepreneur and a digital transformation advocate focusing on delivering business solutions powered by 4IR technologies. He can be contacted at: [email protected] or +263773289802.
Online Reporter