Meta’s newly released app, Threads, aimed at competing with Twitter, saw an impressive response with five million sign-ups in its first four hours, according to CEO Mark Zuckerberg. The app, closely resembling Twitter in design, offers users longer posts and boasts a lineup of celebrity backers.
The launch of Threads was accelerated by 15 hours, becoming available at 7 pm EDT in the US and midnight in the UK. The app was made accessible in 100 countries through the Apple and Google app stores, excluding the EU due to regulatory concerns.
Shortly after its debut, prominent brands like Billboard, HBO, NPR, and Netflix swiftly created accounts on Threads. Meta revealed that initial celebrity endorsers included Shakira and Gordon Ramsay, and there were reports of discussions with Oprah Winfrey and the Dalai Lama.
To use Threads, individuals need an Instagram account for login. Once signed up, users have the option to follow the same accounts they follow on Instagram if those accounts are also on Threads.
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Threads introduces several changes to Twitter’s terminology, referring to retweets as “reposts” and tweets as “threads.” Meta has a history of emulating features from rival platforms, as exemplified by the introduction of Instagram’s Reels in 2020, resembling TikTok’s short-form videos.
One notable distinction is that Threads allows posts of up to 500 characters, compared to Twitter’s 280-character limit. Additionally, users can share videos up to five minutes long and post links to their content on other platforms. The app also provides options to unfollow, block, restrict, or report other users, as well as filter out replies containing specific words.
In summary, Threads, Meta’s Twitter rival, garnered an impressive five million sign-ups within the first four hours of its launch. With its extended post length, celebrity endorsements, and similarities to Twitter’s interface, Threads aims to entice users away from Elon Musk’s struggling platform.
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