Meta, the parent company of Facebook, is set to launch its new app, Threads, in a direct challenge to Twitter’s dominance in the social media space. The app, which bears a striking resemblance to Twitter’s interface, will be linked to Instagram and aims to provide users with a “text-based conversation app” experience. Threads is currently available for pre-order on the Apple App Store and is set to go live on Thursday.
The launch of Threads is the latest move in the ongoing rivalry between Meta boss Mark Zuckerberg and Twitter owner Elon Musk. Musk has been actively promoting Twitter’s subscription service, Twitter Blue, and recently announced that the popular user dashboard, TweetDeck, will be behind a paywall in 30 days time.
In contrast, Threads will be a free service without any restrictions on the number of posts users can see. The app is positioned as a platform for communities to discuss various topics and trends. Screenshots of the app reveal its striking resemblance to Twitter’s design.
However, Meta’s Threads app poses a significant threat to Twitter’s position in the market. Zuckerberg has a history of borrowing successful ideas from other companies and implementing them effectively, as seen with Meta’s Reels and Stories, which resemble TikTok and Snapchat, respectively. With Threads being integrated into the Instagram platform, it will have immediate access to hundreds of millions of users.
While praised for his commitment to free speech, Musk has also faced criticism and alienated some users. Zuckerberg hopes to leverage this dissatisfaction to attract disenchanted Twitter users and establish Threads as a compelling alternative.
In recent years, several apps with similarities to Twitter, such as Truth Social and Mastodon, have emerged. Bluesky, another comparable app, claimed to have experienced a surge in traffic following Musk’s decision to limit usage. However, Threads presents the most formidable challenge to Twitter thus far.
As Meta possesses vast resources and an existing user base through Instagram, it has the capability to compete with Twitter on a significant scale. Zuckerberg’s track record of successfully adopting and popularizing competitors’ concepts further strengthens Meta’s position.
The launch of Threads signifies a new chapter in the ongoing battle for supremacy in the social media landscape. Users will soon have another platform to engage in text-based conversations, with Meta aiming to disrupt Twitter’s hold on the market.