Meta’s Twitter/X rival, Threads, has been steadily growing in popularity since its launch nine months ago. The social network now boasts over 150 million monthly active users, up from 130 million in February, according to Mark Zuckerberg’s announcement during the company’s Q1 2024 earnings call.
A Stable Pace of Growth
Threads’ growth rate is a testament to Meta’s efforts in building out the audience for this new social network. Despite being launched just nine months ago, Threads has already surpassed significant milestones, including:
- 150 million monthly active users: This marks a notable increase from 130 million in February, demonstrating a stable pace of growth.
- Integration with ActivityPub: The company has taken steps towards integrating with the decentralized protocol that powers networks like Mastodon.
Integrating with ActivityPub: A Major Development
In March, Threads allowed U.S.-based users over 18 to connect their accounts to the fediverse, enabling their posts to show up on other servers. This move is a significant step towards integrating with ActivityPub, which could potentially lead to a more decentralized and interconnected social media landscape.
API Release: A Major Milestone
Threads plans to release its API to a wide set of developers by June, allowing them to build experiences around the social network. However, it remains unclear if Threads will allow developers to create full-fledged third-party clients.
AI Chatbot Exclusion: A Possible Reason for Omission
Meta’s recent launch of its AI chatbot across Facebook, Messenger, WhatsApp, and Instagram did not include Threads as a platform. This exclusion could be due to the lack of native DM (direct message) functionality on Threads.
New Features and Improvements
Last week, Meta launched a test feature that allows users to auto-archive their posts after a defined period of time. Users can also archive or unarchive individual posts and make them public. These features are aimed at providing users with more control over their content and improving the overall user experience on Threads.
A Growing Audience: U.S. Daily Active Users Exceed X
According to app analytics firm Apptopia, reported by Business Insider, Threads now has more daily active users in the U.S. than X. This development highlights the growing popularity of Threads among American users.
Not an X Alternative: Focus on Niche Communities
Instagram head Adam Mosseri stated in October that Threads won’t "amplify news on the platform." While this may indicate that Threads is not an alternative to X, it suggests a focus on niche communities and specific use cases, rather than competing directly with other social media platforms.
Conclusion
Threads continues to grow at a stable pace, with significant milestones achieved in recent months. The integration with ActivityPub and planned API release are major developments that could shape the future of social media. While Threads may not be an X alternative, it’s clear that Meta is committed to building out this new platform and creating a unique experience for users.
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