Threads’ New Features: Will They Help?
Meta’s Threads app has a familiar blend of features reminiscent of both Twitter and Instagram. Recently, Threads added more features for users. And they’re wise to do so: data from Similarweb indicates that during the first week in July, the daily active user count for Threads was 49 million. It dropped to 23.6 million by the beginning of the next week.
In July, USA Today reported a decline in the amount of time people spend on the app. Usage time decreased from 21 minutes on July 7 to just over six minutes on July 14. This represents less than a third of the initial usage.
Threads introduce more X-like features.
TechCrunch noted that Instagram Threads, a rival to Meta’s X, is introducing more X-like features in rapid succession. This includes the addition of polls and GIFs, alongside other recent updates. For instance, a desktop version, an edit button, profile switching, likes, full-text search, a chronological feed, voice posts, and more.
As Threads strives to keep users engaged, they’re quick to add features that X users are used to. Polls are known for boosting engagement on Twitter and X platforms. This allows users who don’t frequently post to participate in discussions and share their opinions. Poll creators can also attract new followers and get a sense of public sentiment without the need for formal surveys. Additionally, polls can be used for fun purposes. For example, deciding what to have for dinner or selecting a movie to watch.
Elon Musk, the owner of X, has notably used polls to make decisions about the company’s direction. This includes stepping down as the company’s head, offering “amnesty” to banned accounts, or reviving Vine, the short video platform that Twitter took out in 2016.
On Threads, polls run for 24 hours, and users have control over who can respond to them, similar to managing responses to regular posts. Regarding GIFs, they continue to be of interest to online users, with Giphy providing the new GIFs feature on Threads.
These features are currently available on the Threads mobile app but have not been introduced on the web version as of now.
