Instagram Threads: The Ultimate Guide to Usage and Features

What is Instagram Threads?

In Instagram Threads, people can share public content and their own views and opinions in the form of text, images, and GIFs. Unlike Twitter, its rival, Instagram Threads, does not have a character limit when it comes to text postings. 

Threads have taken up one-fifth of the weekly active user base of Twitter globally, making it a great competitor in the social media landscape. Threads let users post text updates of up to 500 characters. This includes links, photos, and up to 5 minutes longs videos too.

The platform is connected to Instagram, so it allows users to log in using their existing Instagram accounts. Interestingly, this comes with the option to customize their Threads profile separately. The app also puts emphasis on privacy controls so users can manage who can mention, reply, or engage with their threads.

How to Sign Up for Instagram Threads?

Users can download the app from the respective app stores on their iOS or Android devices to sign up for it. After installing, they can log in using their existing Instagram account or even create a new one. Threads also offer a good way to keep it connected with the main Instagram app. This allows users to switch between the two easily.

How to Use Instagram Threads?

It is quite simple to use Instagram Threads. Once you open the app, you can use the camera to record a video or even upload pictures or videos from your gallery. You can also add captions, messages, or any type of text to your video. There are mainly two audio-based tools that Threads has. One is the "Text to Speech," and the other is "Voice Effects." 

The "Text to Speech" feature lets users have an artificial voice to read the text added to their video. And "Voice Effects" lets users change the audio and also add voiceovers for creative expression. Use cases of Threads include;

1. Create Your Feed: Through text sharing, threads provide a separate area for in-the-moment updates and open discussions. The threads uploaded by the Instagram users you follow will appear in your Threads feed. This also contains suggestions for new authors you haven't yet found yet. The posts may contain links, images, and videos that are up to five minutes long, and they are limited to 500 characters.

2. Privacy and Safety Controls: Threads puts safety and privacy first. You will automatically be placed into a private profile if you are under 16 (or under 18 in some countries). You can decide who can mention you or respond to one of your threads. You can add hidden words to your filter to exclude responses that contain these words. Threads automatically blocks those accounts that you might have blocked on Instagram.

3. Sharing Your Posts: You may easily share your Threads posts as links on other networks or to your Instagram story. This will help you reach a bigger audience.

4. Future Interoperability: In an effort to make Threads more in line with open social networks, Meta is actively working in this direction. Meta will introduce a new era of different and interconnected networks with the integration of Threads with the ActivityPub protocol. This protocol lets interactions with other applications that implement it, like Mastodon and WordPress.

Features of Threads 

Instagram Threads differentiates itself from its competitors with a few special features. One of the features that stand out is "Auto Status.” The “Auto Status” refreshes users' status according to their location and activity. This also allows for sharing real-time experiences with others. Threads' is also a clutter- and distraction-free interface that keeps focus on deep connections and meaningful interactions. 

Key features of the Instagram Threads include:

1. Auto Status

"Auto Status" is one of Instagram Threads' unique features. This automatically refreshes their status based on their location and activity. You can immediately share information with others through this.

2. Clutter-Free Interface

Threads keeps meaningful conversations in mind and avoids clutter and distractions. It has quite a cleaner interface compared to other platforms. Its simplified design lets users easily share updates.

3. Text-Based Updates

Threads prefers text based updates over visual content unlike Instagram. Users can share text posts that are up to 500 characters long compared to Twitter that has an approximate limit of 180 characters.

4. Multimedia Sharing

The exchange of multimedia content is supported by Threads along with text updates. Users can include links, images, and 5-minute-long videos also in their posts. Users can deliver their messages in a variety of formats as well.

5. Real-Time Updates and Public Conversations

Threads provide a separate space for real-time updates and public conversations. Users can follow and connect with friends and creators who share similar interests, fostering engagement within the Threads community.

6. Privacy Controls

Threads has privacy limits that encourage constructive and fruitful conversations. Users can choose who is allowed to mention them or leave comments on their postings. Furthermore, they can add hidden phrases to exclude particular responses. This offers a more customized and good engagement experience.

7. Interoperability with Open Social Networks

The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) ActivityPub protocol is compatible with Thread. This would make it possible for Threads to communicate with other ActivityPub-compatible apps like Mastodon and WordPress.

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Instagram Threads show an indication of a more private and intimate social media experience in comparison to Twitter. Threads looks like a real potential competitor to Twitter because of this reason. Threads seem to become one of the unique experiences people seek on a social media platform as it is much more personalized.

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FAQs

1. Will threads replace Twitter?

Threads has slightly different messaging features and type but still, it has the potential to replace Twitter. Threads usually aim at users who want to have a more intimate and private messaging experience. And Twitter mainly aims for real-time engagement and public discussions.

2. Is threads available on the web?

As of now (July 2023), Threads is a mobile app available for iOS and Android devices. It does not have a web version yet.

3. Is Threads app safe?

Instagram Threads has some of its own standard privacy and security measures. But read the guidelines and privacy policy in the app to understand better.

4. Are hashtags used in threads?

Instagram Threads is made for private messaging with close friends, and therefore, hashtags are not commonly used within the app. Threads make personal connections important and do not have the same public visibility as the main Instagram app. Also, more private than Twitter, where hashtags play an important role in topic discovery and interaction.