In the wake of Twitter’s unexpected rebrand to X, with the Threads Following tab, Meta is seizing the opportunity to attract a fresh wave of users seeking an alternative social media experience. Threads, Meta’s app reminiscent of Twitter, is receiving a notable update with new features that bring it closer to the traditional Twitter feel and function.
The most significant addition is the introduction of the ‘Following’ feed, which runs parallel to the existing ‘For you’ stream that showcases recommended and followed content. With this new feature, Threads users can now exclusively view content from the profiles they choose to follow on the platform.
To make sure to grasp the competition between the two platforms fully, don’t forget to check out Elon Musk’s ambition with Twitter vs X App.
Can the Threads Following tab be the savior of the platform?
Upon its initial launch, the new social media initiative lacked a Threads Following tab, leaving users to wade through a stream of unfamiliar accounts and odd recommendations. This deterred many potential users as the content presented to them often did not align with their interests, mainly because Instagram’s graph was used as a proxy for Threads interest. As Instagram and Twitter cater to different user intents, the mismatched content became a challenge for Threads to overcome.
The addition of the Threads Following tab, displayed in chronological order, now allows users to curate their content consumption more effectively, creating a more Twitter-like experience. The improved control over the content display is likely to boost engagement and interaction within the app.
Nevertheless, this update may also lead to a potential decrease in Threads’ viewing metrics. As more users switch to the Threads Following tab, they may be exposed to a narrower range of content, missing out on updates from accounts they don’t follow. Meta acknowledges this risk and encourages users to explore content from various sources to enhance exposure for creators and highlight top-performing content across the app.
Other new features that Threads is incorporating to fight Twitter
The inclusion of post translations is another noteworthy addition to Threads. Posts in the Threads Following tab will now be automatically translated based on their original language and the language settings of the viewer. Furthermore, users can manually translate posts into other languages by tapping the translation button conveniently located at the bottom right of each post.
In addition to these updates, Meta has incorporated new sorting options for the ‘Activity’ feed, enabling users to filter actions based on follows, quotes, and reposts. Furthermore, a new ‘Follow’ button is now available in the followers list, facilitating the discovery of new voices and enhancing the user’s feed.
With the evolving landscape of Twitter, undergoing transformations under Elon Musk’s ‘X’ vision, users are increasingly seeking real-time social options. Threads, with its Twitter-like features, is well-positioned to attract former Twitter users looking for a familiar alternative.
As these updates roll out, it is anticipated that Threads will witness a surge in interest, as evidenced by the recent addition of 2 million more members. The app’s enhanced user experience and Twitter-like functionalities will undoubtedly make new users feel more at home on the platform.
Meta’s Threads app is steadily shaping up to become a robust contender in the real-time social media space, and with the Threads Following tab, its latest major update, it is poised to capture the attention of users seeking a fresh and engaging online experience. As the platform continues to refine its algorithms and better understand user preferences, Threads holds promising potential for growth and continued popularity among social media enthusiasts.
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