Instagram has recently come up with its app, named Threads. From the moment of its introduction, Threads has proved to be a tuff rival for the popular and actively used social media platform Twitter. The success of the former may be attributable to various factors including its exposure to massive existing users via Instagram, enhanced features like increased character limit, minimal platform interference, etc.
This post thus aims to bring to light the recently initiated rivalry between the two social media platforms. The post shall delve into the individual understanding of both Threads and Twitter, followed by a comparison between the two. It will be concluded by observing and making an attempt to understand which platform has a better future.
Table of Contents
KNOW ABOUT TWITTER
The term “tweet” refers to the 140-character messages that users of the social media site Twitter send out to their followers. Jack Dorsey, Biz Stone, and Evan Williams launched it in March 2006, and since then it has become one of the most significant and frequently utilized social media networks worldwide. Twitter’s 280-character restriction per tweet is its distinguishing characteristic since it encourages users to be clear and precise in their expression. Because of its compact nature, Twitter has become a popular venue for instantaneous dissemination of information, dissemination of ideas, and participation in public debates and discussions on a wide range of issues. Users range from regular people to famous people, politicians, corporations, media outlets, and more. In order to keep up with the tweets of people you follow and interact with them, you may like, retweet (share someone else’s tweet with your followers), and respond to their tweets. Twitter has evolved into a worldwide platform for individuals to meet new friends, exchange ideas, and take part in discussions.
KNOW ABOUT THREADS
‘Threads’ has lately been in talks for the social media community. The reason behind the same is its resemblance and relativity with the popular social media platform Twitter. This a microblogging platform and is often seen as a strong competitor to Twitter, so much such that it is also called the ‘Twitter Killer’. Thread is a platform introduced by Instagram or in simple words it is basically a new app, part of the Instagram social media platform itself. It is referred to as a conversation app by the same. This app allows users to create text-based posts with an increased character limit of 500 characters. It also allows to share photos and videos up to five minutes long. Since this platform is closely associated with Instagram, the users of the social media platform can easily log in with their Instagram username and easily converse using the Threads App. In contrast to Twitter, Threads promise a user experience with minimal platform interference and restrictions, as is evident from the relaxed character limit, easy comment, repost, and share features, feasible blogging, etc.
Both the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store both offer the application. Users can sign in to the platform using both desktop and mobile browsers. In a clever marketing ploy, Instagram also developed a customizable ticket in the days preceding the introduction of the platform that includes a QR code that directs users to the app store or the official Threads website, where they can download and quickly register for the service. Simply putting “threads” into the Instagram search bar will yield this ticket for users.
ANALYSING THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE TWO SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS
1.Ease in accessibility
When it was first launched about 16 years ago, Twitter existed just as a website. However, due to the widespread use of smartphones, the software was finally made available for both Android and iOS. With the existing widespread use of Instagram, the Threads App has at the very start a wider base of audience. This in turn promises the users an easily accessible conversation app, better than the experience offered by Twitter. You may get the Threads app (for both iOS and Android) from the respective app stores. It’s now possible just on mobile devices. Meta looks to be following the same path as Instagram, which means the Threads website may not be coming very soon.
2.Synchronization of two accounts
Twitter allows users to sign in using a variety of identifiers, including email addresses, phone numbers, and usernames. This bluebird operates in an independent set up and it thus makes exclusive use of the information used at the time of logging. Threads on the other hand are synchronized with Instagram, thus the current users of Instagram can directly access the app using their existing usernames. This however has a downside to it as currently, Instagram accounts are the only valid means of logging into Threads, and vice versa. Even deleting your whole Instagram account will not remove your threads.
3. Money-making opportunities
Twitter has more users and a more developed structure for making money. Threads and Twitter are similar in a way that they both allow users to make connections and exchange information, but they vary significantly in terms of monetization. Unlike Twitter, which limits users to only 280 characters for each tweet, Threads lets them use up to 500. Companies who are looking to advertise on the platform will like this addition. It is allowed to make carousel-style postings may be made in Threads, allowing users to showcase several images or videos in a single post. This layout provides an enhanced feature for companies who want to cover many continents in a single announcement. Businesses may reach out to users with queries and engage with prospective customers without leaving the app by using the in-built private messaging system. Twitter, on the other hand, is already a popular social media platform in the industry and thus has proven monetization benefits. Twitter’s popularity, search function, etc. enable businesses to better know and target consumers by making appropriate usage of Twitter features like hashtags, words, phrases, etc. The platform makes money via advertisements, collaborations, partnerships, etc. Sponsorships also promise an efficient money-making medium for users who have large followings on Twitter.
4. Validation and Cost
Under Musk’s leadership, Twitter introduced a verified membership plan that included extra perks including increased character counts, ad-free experience, and the coveted blue tick mark. Soon after Instagram’s lead, Meta launched a similar service that just provides verification. Twitter Blue is a blue checkmark and additional perks, whereas Instagram Threads verification is only a blue tick. Both services have comparable monthly costs.
5. Posts with media
A user may share external links, movies, and photographs on both platforms. Both sites allow users to share GIFs, albeit doing so on Threads requires the file to be saved to the user’s camera roll first. Additionally, the restriction per tweet on Twitter is four, but the limit on Threads is unlimited. Similar to Instagram’s carousel postings, Threads lets you upload 10 photos or videos in one go.
6. Character Count Restriction
Twitter’s character limit was raised from 140 to 280, and with the release of Twitter Blue, even that restriction has been removed. However, 500 characters is a strict limit that Threads enforces. Apart from the strict character restriction, private messaging on Threads is impossible. It lacks Twitter’s in-app chatting features. In addition, searching for content outside user names and profiles is disabled in Threads. Unlike Twitter, which offers two feed options—one tailored to the user’s preferences and the other based on who they follow—Threads’ feed displays postings from everyone, whether or not the user is following the account.
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