Meta Launches Threads Early As It Looks To Take On Twitter

A day earlier than anticipated, Meta’s Threads app launched, providing billions of users with an alternative to Twitter amid rising annoyance with the Elon Musk-owned social media platform.

Originally scheduled for release at 10 a.m. Eastern Time on July 6, Threads was moved up by the firm on Wednesday to 7 p.m. Eastern Time on July 5.

Users can publish messages on Threads, which resembles Twitter in appearance, reply to other users’ posts, and like or repost messages. Additionally, the service allows Instagram users to follow the same profiles on Threads, which may help individuals gain more followers.

“Our vision is to take the best parts of Instagram and create a new experience for text, ideas and discussing what’s on your mind,” Meta founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg said in an Instagram post after Threads was made available for download. “I think the world needs this kind of friendly community, and I’m grateful to all of you who are part of Threads from day one.”

A few social media users referred to Threads as a “Twitter killer” in the days before its launch because they believed that some Twitter users would switch to the new app. Elon Musk, the CEO of Twitter, last week throttled the number of tweets that non-paying users are able to access per day, prompting some users to voice their displeasure with the latest adjustments.

Since Musk acquired Twitter last year, there has also been a rise in hate speech on the social media site.

What Is The Threads App?

Proulx referred to Meta’s Threads, which is marketed as an Instagram app, as “another copycat move” because Meta has previously attempted to launch other services that resemble independent digital platforms. They include the instant messaging app Slingshot and the Instagram video service IGTV.

Meta describes Threads in this case as a location where you can “follow and connect directly with your favorite creators and others who love the same things.” In other words, similar to Twitter, but perhaps with a stronger emphasis on the Instagram influencers and producers.

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