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Talk about threading the needle — Meta has been building hype for its Twitter copycat, Threads, this week — which is officially set to go live on Thursday morning. And because it’s an app that’s building off of Instagram user data, it could gain traction pretty quickly.
The Thursday Threads launch couldn’t come at a more opportune time for the Facebook founder, as Twitter owner Elon Musk just rolled out a slew of controversial changes on his own platform — such as limiting the number of tweets that non-paying users can see each day, and moving Tweetdeck behind a paywall — which has put plenty of Twitter users on the hunt for an alternative app this week.
Read more: Meta’s Threads could be a ‘Twitter killer’ — or could be a dud
Meta
META,
CEO Mark Zuckerberg teased on his Instagram stories on Wednesday morning that Threads will launch on Thursday. He also included a QR code to sign up. And Threads already has listings on both Apple’s
AAPL,
App Store and Google’s
GOOG,
Google Play. There’s also a countdown clock on Threads.net, which appears to be the web portal for the new social networking site.
A screenshot of Threads.net. Meta is rolling out Threads, an Instagram app and Twitter competitor, set to go live on Thursday, July 6.
Screenshot/Threads.net
Little is known about Threads yet, besides the fact that it is an Instagram app. And Meta declined to comment, instead directing MarketWatch to read Zuckerberg’s Instagram Story. But here’s what we know about Threads so far, as well as some screenshots that Meta has shared on various app stores.
What is Threads?
Meta describes Threads as an Instagram app where “communities come together to discuss everything from the topics you care about today to what’ll be trending tomorrow.”
It looks to be a more text-based microblogging social media site, very similar to Twitter, where people can share their points of view or engage in conversation with their followers. Preview screenshots shared on the App Store and Google Play Store, for example, show a user posting that they’ve found a new, “cozy” coffee shop in their neighborhood. The post then asks followers to share their own favorite spots to unwind. And the comments feature followers reacting with “likes” and sharing pictures and text describing their own recommendations.
Meta is rolling out Threads, which looks to be a direct competitor of Twitter.
App Store Screenshot
This more text-based, call-and-response post differs from Instagram itself, which has been more focused on the user posting images like photographs, illustrations and videos, with followers able to leave “likes” and comments underneath.
When will Threads be available for download?
Meta CEO and Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg shared an Instagram Story on Wednesday revealing that Threads will be available on Thursday, July 6, at 7 a.m. Pacific Time, along with his own username (“Zuck”) and a QR code. And Threads.net features a countdown clock for the Threads launch, plus a QR code to sign up.
Threads is set to go live on Thursday, July 6.
Screenshot/Instagram
How do I sign up for Threads?
Threads already appears in the “coming soon” preview sections of both the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store. Or, you can also look up “threads” in Instagram’s search bar, which causes a ticket icon to pop up. Clicking on the ticket also takes you to a QR code that links to Threads.net, which also features a QR code to sign up. The Threads.net site has a countdown clock for the Threads launch, which is due to end on Thursday morning.
How much will Threads cost?
Both app store listings say that Threads will be free to download.
What’s the age rating for Threads?
The App Store recommends Threads for users ages 12 and up, noting the content on the platform may feature mild or infrequent alcohol, tobacco or drug use; mild or infrequent profanity or crude humor; mild or infrequent sexual content and nudity; as well as mild or infrequent mature/suggestive themes
Do you have to create a new account or download a new app?
Threads will be a separate Instagram app, but the description says that users will be able to keep their Instagram username and follow the same accounts that they already follow on Instagram.
App Store Screenshot
And you’ll be able to follow new accounts and grow your own audience, as well. “Whatever it is you’re interested in, you can follow and connect directly with your favorite creators and others who love the same things — or build a loyal following of your own to share your ideas, opinions and creativity with the world,” the app description says.
App Store Screenshot
How many people are using Instagram already vs. Twitter?
Instagram counts more than two billion monthly active users, The Wall Street Journal notes, while Twitter has 363.7 million monthly users, according to an estimate provided by Insider Intelligence. And more than 50 million mobile users in the U.S. use both apps, according to Data.ai.
Read more about Meta and Twitter’s rivalry on MarketWatch:
Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg challenge each other to a cage fight
Musk vs. Zuckerberg: Which tech heavyweight is already winning the Wall Street cage match?
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