Threads is Meta’s answer to Twitter, and after its launch on 6 July 2023, a rumoured five million people were already signed up in its infant hours. Here's everything we know about Threads (so far!). 

What is Threads?

Threads, much like Twitter, is a social media platform that allows you to share posts of up to 500 characters, including attaching images, GIFs and videos up to five minutes long. 

There have been many (criticised) changes to Twitter since Elon Musk bought the company in 2022, so has Meta been taking note of all the customer feedback to build a platform that answers the people? 

How to sign up to Threads

1. Download the Threads app on your mobile
2. Choose 'log in via Instagram'
3. Add your details or import from Instagram

Being able to log in via Instagram is helpful for influencers, businesses and anyone else who might be worrying that someone new could snap up their handle on the platform before they get the chance to sign up. 

In Threads, you will be able to link your ‘Following’ list from Instagram, so accounts will appear in your feed as and when they sign up to Threads, meaning you don’t need to build your network from scratch.

How to show Threads from only people you follow

One of the big criticisms of Threads so far is that your feed is at first flooded with ‘threads’ from people who you are not following. 

How to stop showing people you’re not following in Threads:

1. Go to your profile using the bottom right icon
2. In the top right, click the menu
3. Go to Settings > Notifications
4. In Threads and Replies, select ‘from people you follow’ for all options. 

Should b2b businesses sign up for threads?

So how do you know if your B2B business should get a Threads account?

Our answer to businesses questioning whether or not to sign up for a social media platform remains consistent. If you think your audience will be on the platform, you should be there too. 

Considering that five million people signed up in just a few hours (although the launch in the EU has been delayed), indicates at least some of your target audience is trying it out. 

Businesses that find success on Twitter should consider signing up. Twitter is predicted to lose 33 million users by 2024, so perhaps Threads is a chance to recoup this previously active audience. 

Businesses considering Threads will also be interested to hear that Meta has announced they will not monetise the platform, meaning you cannot display ads on Threads, at least for the first year of its release. 

The popularity and longevity of the new Threads platform remains to be seen. With Meta behind it, it will be interesting to see whether Threads will be a passing phase, as we saw with platform releases such as Clubhouse and BeReal, or if it will remain a steadfast platform among the social media giants we know and love (or hate to love!). 

We will keep a close eye on Threads' development and share any further social media updates on our blog.