Meta, led by Mark Zuckerberg, has launched a direct challenge to Elon Musk’s Twitter empire with the release of Threads, a text-based conversation app.
The app was unveiled by Meta’s Instagram on July 5 and is now available in approximately 100 countries. Users can download it from Apple’s App Store for iOS devices and Google Play for Android. Threads had previously undergone a closed beta test.
Mark Zuckerberg expressed his enthusiasm for the app in his inaugural post on Threads, which he shared two days ago, stating, “Let’s do this. Welcome to Threads. 🔥”
According to Instagram’s description, Threads serves as a platform where communities can come together to engage in discussions about a wide range of topics, including current interests and upcoming trends. Users can follow and directly connect with their favorite creators and like-minded individuals, or even establish their own dedicated following to share ideas, opinions, and creative content with the world.
What sets Threads apart from other potential Twitter alternatives is its integration with Instagram. Users can maintain the same username across both platforms, and during the app’s setup process, Threads offers the option to automatically follow the same accounts that users already follow on Instagram. The official name of the app is “Threads, an Instagram app,” solidifying its connection to the popular photo-sharing platform.
Adam Mosseri, the head of Instagram, expressed his excitement about the release of Threads in a post just before 4 p.m. PT. He mentioned that although it may take some time for the app to fully propagate, the doors are now open for users to join. Mosseri emphasized that the aim is to create an open and friendly platform for conversations, urging users to be kind if they wish to contribute to a positive environment.
Last fall, Meta announced that Instagram had surpassed 2 billion monthly active users. However, it remains uncertain how many Instagrammers will embrace Threads, given its focus on text posts rather than the image and video-centric approach of Instagram.
In earlier statements this year, Meta confirmed its interest in launching a separate decentralized social network dedicated to sharing text updates. The company expressed the belief that there is an opportunity for creators and public figures to have a distinct space where they can share timely updates about their interests.
In the midst of all this, both Zuckerberg and Musk have engaged in some playful banter about a potential showdown, but it remains unclear if these billionaires will actually come face-to-face in a physical battle.