Following the swift attainment of 100 million sign-ups within a week, Meta’s recently launched app, Threads, has undergone a software update tailored for users of iOS 17. Rolled out by Meta’s Instagram team on July 5, Threads, positioned as a text-based conversation app and dubbed a potential rival to Twitter, garnered rapid popularity.
An update, observed by TechCrunch, includes a bug fix for the iOS 17 beta aimed at preventing Threads from crashing, particularly when users attempted to attach photos, which had caused issues leading to workarounds like copy and paste. Additional updates involve profile adjustments and a feature allowing users to double-tap for searches. The user count for Threads continues to surge.
Mark Zuckerberg shared the achievement, stating, “Threads reached 100 million sign-ups over the weekend,” emphasizing organic demand without significant promotional efforts. Adam Mosseri, Instagram’s head, expressed astonishment at the surge in sign-ups, committing to enhancing the app further.
While the rapid sign-up rate doesn’t guarantee sustained usage, the milestone is significant. To provide context, OpenAI’s ChatGPT achieved 100 million monthly active users in two months, Twitter had 259 million daily active users by the end of 2022, and Instagram boasts 1.39 billion daily active users.
Joining Threads is straightforward, requiring users to sign in with Instagram credentials, retaining their username, followers, and verification status.
Despite the platform’s development reportedly starting in January, Threads’ launch coincides with Twitter’s temporary limits on daily tweet reading, prompting users to seek alternatives like Mastodon and Bluesky. Threads offers users the option to post text, videos, and photos, engaging in real-time conversations.
For more details on joining Threads and available features, read on. Meanwhile, Meta’s application of AI for feed organization is explored. Threads, created by Meta’s Instagram team, enables users to publish short posts of up to 500 characters, incorporating links, photos, or videos up to five minutes long. Integrated with Instagram accounts, users can seamlessly share Threads posts to Instagram stories or as links on other platforms. The feed includes content from Instagram or Threads connections, along with recommendations. The app allows filtering specific words and controlling who can mention you.
Threads is free and accessible on the App Store (iOS) and Play Store (Android). While it launched in over 100 countries, its European Union release faced delays due to reported data-sharing concerns, and Meta is said to be blocking EU attempts to access Threads via VPN, citing additional steps to restrict access at this time.