Meta’s Threads: Direct Twitter Challenge, Millions of Users in Hours

Meta Platforms, the parent company of social media giant Facebook, has unleashed a formidable rival to Twitter with its new app called Threads. Within hours of its launch, the platform attracted millions of users, taking advantage of Twitter’s recent tumultuous decisions under the ownership of Elon Musk. Notable figures such as Kim Kardashian, Jennifer Lopez, and Democratic U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez wasted no time in joining Threads.

Mark Zuckerberg, the CEO of Meta, expressed his enthusiasm for the new venture in his inaugural post on the app, stating, “Let’s do this. Welcome to Threads,” accompanied by a fire emoji. Within a mere seven hours, Threads amassed an impressive 10 million sign-ups, a clear indication of the platform’s potential.

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Zuckerberg, never one to shy away from social media battles, also took to Twitter, playfully posting a meme depicting Spiderman in a face-off against his doppelgänger. This humorous gesture served as a gentle jab at the ongoing rivalry between Musk and the two services.

Industry analysts have noted that Threads’ integration with Instagram provides a significant advantage, as it leverages the existing user base and advertising capabilities of the popular photo-sharing platform. This advantage may divert advertising revenue away from Twitter, a company currently struggling to revitalize its business under new CEO leadership.

Although Threads functions as a standalone app, users can effortlessly log in using their Instagram credentials and follow the same accounts. This seamless integration makes it an appealing addition to the routines of Instagram’s colossal user base, which exceeds 2 billion monthly active users.

Danni Hewson, Head of Financial Analysis at investment firm AJ Bell, expressed optimism about Meta’s potential to disrupt the Twitter landscape, stating, “Investors can’t help but be a little excited about the prospect that Meta really has a ‘Twitter-Killer.'”

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Some see the launch of Threads as an opportunity to create a less toxic version of Twitter, with Ocasio-Cortez sharing her aspirations for the platform in her post, saying, “May this platform have good vibes, strong community, excellent humor, and less harassment.”

Similar to Twitter, Threads enables users to share short text posts, engage through likes, reposts, and replies, albeit without direct messaging capabilities. Posts can span up to 500 characters and may include links, photos, and videos up to five minutes long, as explained in a blog post by Meta.

Threads is now available in over 100 countries on both Apple’s App Store and Google’s Play Store, opening up a global audience for the platform’s rapid growth.

Boosted by the launch of Threads, Meta’s stock closed with a 3% increase on Wednesday, outperforming gains made by its rival tech firms.

This daring move by Meta Platforms sets the stage for a fierce battle for dominance in the social media arena, promising users an alternative to Twitter’s current state while offering marketers a fresh advertising avenue. Only time will reveal the true impact Threads will have on the ever-evolving landscape of social media.