IF you're a huge fan of catching up with Twitter threads, then you might have heard about "Threads.” On July 5th, 2023, Threads launched as the "fastest-ever app to surge past 150 million downloads,” leading buzzing generation z users to flock towards the platform.

Like Instagram and Facebook, Threads is a new competitor in Meta's roster of social applications. The social media platform is reminiscent of your typical Twitter feed, except it is linked to your Instagram account. With Threads, you can post a tweet-like post and even publish media content. Your followers can interact from liking to reposting and even replying to the thread, as its name suggests. 

To Tweet or to Thread? That is the question. 

Despite the similarities between Threads and Twitter, we can also see the differences between the two social media platforms. When Elon Musk took over Twitter,  it caused users to be in a frenzy when the late April Fool’s joke of having a Doge loading screen and tab icon upon entering Twitter had people wondering if their Twitter account has been hacked. Some users switched to Threads due to the new limits set on Twitter’s platform, such as the 280-character limit. Users who want to publish a post with more than 280 characters would have to subscribe to Twitter Blue, a premium subscription that allows you to write to your heart’s content with an updated 4,000-character limit. Threads, on the other hand, offers a 500-character limit enabling users to switch and express more in their posts. 

Content Creation Hanging by a Thread 

Content creators notice the change as they feel that they are “sucked” into the social media universe of Threads. Creators are torn about utilizing the social media outlet as it is relatively new, which would mean monetizing opportunities for creators are still unclear. However, with a number of 70 million users upon the launch of Threads, those creators who opt out from joining Threads experience a sudden drop in engagement. According to web analytics company Similarweb, Twitter's user traffic drops to 5% upon the launch of Threads. And like any content creator, they would do anything to ensure they are still active for their audiences. 

A “trend” cut short

Despite Threads being a new platform, the competition between Threads and other social media platforms is evident. According to SensorTower, Threads had a 20% decline in its daily users upon its launch last July 5. Possible reasons why people have lost interest in the application could be how content is presented; unlike Twitter, there are no hashtags, so content creators may struggle to get their published posts “out there.” Another factor is that users may follow the content creators they fancy in the app — unfortunately, the application shows all content; regardless of whether you follow the creator, any content, even those you aren’t interested in, will all show up in your Threads app. These factors became a deal breaker for users and content creators, causing them to revert to the social media platforms with which they have already grown their audience. 

As Threads becomes a trendy new social media app,  we have come to know and love to post our content online. The presence of competition among social media platforms is evident. Yet, Threads represent a new tackle on Twitter, allowing users to express themselves without limits and presenting content creators with a platform to connect with their followers. It enables individuals to share their thoughts and ideas, fostering a robust connection between creators and their audiences. As a user or a creator, would you still join Threads to be part of a generation’s bandwagon trend?