EXCLUSIVE: Meta Threads’ ultimate test: MailOnline asks six experts to put the app through its paces – so is it REALLY a Twitter-killer?
- More than 10 million users have already signed up to Meta’s new app Threads
- But just how good is it? MailOnline asked six experts to test the app
- Follow the Daily Mail on Threads
More than 10 million users have already signed up to Mark Zuckerberg’s new app Threads after its overnight launch.
The app, which is integrated with Instagram, allows users to share text, links, photos and videos, and has been described as a ‘Twitter-killer’.
But just how good is Threads, and does it live up to its ‘killer’ reputation?
MailOnline has put the app to the ultimate test, enlisting the help of six experts who put Threads through its paces.
Here’s what they have to say about Threads, with one expert calling it a ‘true threat to Elon Musk’s “new Twitter”.’
MailOnline has put the app to the ultimate test, enlisting the help of six experts who put Threads through its paces
Matt Navarra – ‘It’s a true threat to Elon Musk’s “new Twitter”‘
Matt Navarra is one of Europe’s most well-known and in-demand social media consultants, and described Threads as ‘a true threat to Elon Musk’s “new Twitter”‘.
Matt Navarra is one of Europe’s most well-known and in-demand social media consultants, and described Threads as ‘a true threat to Elon Musk’s “new Twitter”‘
‘For the people who are coming with the hopes of finding a Twitter replacement, they’ll be pleased to see that it is remarkably similar,’ he told MailOnline.
‘Features like resharing, reposting things, liking posts, replies – all the things you would expect from any social platform – they’re all there and it all makes sense.’
Mr Navarra admits that there are several things missing in Threads.
‘It doesn’t have hashtags, its search functionality needs to be improved, it lacks any sort of Trending page,’ he said.
‘People are also crying out to see who everyone else is following, and having a chronological ordered feed.’
However, he urges users to ‘give Meta a break.’
READ MORE: Can Threads convert a die-hard Twitter addict?
‘There’s a long list of things that aren’t quite ready yet, but I’ve got a feeling they’re probably going to come fairly swiftly,’ he added.
‘They’ve probably only been developing the app for six months or so, and it’s only day one.’
While Mr Navarra says it’s too early to say if Threads can overtake Twitter, he claims the general concensus among experts is that ‘it could be a genuine rival to Twitter.’
He added: ‘I think it’s a true threat to Elon Musk’s “new Twitter”, and it will be very interesting to see his response to this attack on his territory.’
Jake Moore – ‘It’s your move next, Elon’
Jake Moore, Global Security Advisor at ESET, called Threads the ‘first real Twitter alternative that will make it a home screen app.’
Jake Moore, Global Security Advisor at ESET, called Threads the ‘first real Twitter alternative that will make it a home screen app’
‘Threads seems to have it all and it doesn’t bother me that it looks similar to Twitter – that is exactly what I want!’ he told MailOnline.
Mr Moore called the integration with Instagram ‘a bit dirty’, as he likes to keep his Instagram and Twitter separate.
However, he admitted that this has made it easier to use Threads immediately.
‘The main issue with new apps is there is often no one there initially to talk to so being connected to Instagram has actually meant everyone with an account has been able to immediately follow and interact with people they know for the outset,’ he explained.
‘This was a wise move by Meta rather than making it a completely separate app.’
Mr Moore predicts a ‘crossover period’ where many people use both Twitter and Threads.
‘However, if the majority tip over to Threads as their favoured app, which I think it likely, it will potentially see people jump from the Twitter ship,’ he added.
‘I wonder how long it could be until Twitter becomes a ghost town. We can firmly say that it is your move next, Elon.’
Follow the Daily Mail on Threads
Katie McKiever – ‘Meta is the only group that could realistically go head-to-head with Twitter right now’
Katie McKiever, a Social Media and Communications Consultant, says that Meta is the ‘only group that could realistically go head-to-head with Twitter right now’
Katie McKiever, a Social Media and Communications Consultant, says that Meta is the ‘only group that could realistically go head-to-head with Twitter right now.’
‘They have the infrastructure and resources necessary to take on the massive task of competing with an app that is considered the digital town square accessed by more than 200 million daily active users, according to reports,’ she told MailOnline.
Ms McKiever says that the integration with Instagram will really help to convince users to sign up to Threads.
‘In this day and age, people already have multiple social media accounts, and to be convinced to start a new one can be an uphill battle,’ she said.
‘There is a lot of effort that goes into creating a new social media account and starting from scratch, zero followers, is something people simply don’t want to do.
‘Meta took all of that hesitancy away given that users have automatic built-in followers by connecting to one’s already existing Instagram community.’
This integration isn’t only beneficial for individuals, but also for businesses, according to Ms McKiever.
‘For businesses to be allowed on new social media platforms is unheard of and Meta allows it upon launch of the new app,’ she added.
‘This is big for marketing and brand awareness opportunities for businesses that historically have never been given early access to tech spaces.’
Rhea Freeman – ‘It’s the strongest competitor I’ve seen anywhere near Twitter’
Rhea Freeman, a social media consultant at Rhea Freeman PR, called Threads the ‘strongest competitor’ to Twitter yet
Rhea Freeman, a social media consultant at Rhea Freeman PR, called Threads the ‘strongest competitor’ to Twitter yet.
‘I really like the app – it reminds me of “old school” social!’ she told MailOnline.
‘I joined Twitter in 2009, and the vibe I’m getting from Threads so far reminds me very much of Twitter from that kind of time.’
Ms Freeman says that the integration with Instagram makes Threads particularly easy to use.
‘It’s really easy to set up and because you can follow people you already know from different apps, it doesn’t feel like you’re starting a whole new app experience, it feels integrated,’ she said.
However, like Mr Navarra, Ms Freeman points out that there are some key features missing.
‘I’m missing functional hashtags at the moment, but this is just day one of the app. I’d like to see these integrated in the future as it makes searching for current trends and connecting over specific topics much easier,’ she said.
Overall, Ms Freeman calls Threads ‘the strongest competitor I’ve seen anywhere near [Twitter].’
‘The test of time will be key for Threads as social media platforms do come and go, but with Meta behind it, I personally think it has a great chance of success,’ she added.
Tomi Adebayo – ‘Threads bridges the gap between Twitter and Instagram’
Tomi Adebayo, also known to his followers as @gadgetsboy, has over 30,000 followers on Instagram and 48,000 followers on Twitter
Tomi Adebayo, also known as @gadgetsboy, has over 30,000 followers on Instagram and 48,000 followers on Twitter.
He says that Threads is well suited to influencers as it ‘bridges the gap between Twitter and Instagram.’
‘I use Twitter as a conversational tool with my community,’ he told MailOnline.
‘The issue I have is that most of my Instagram followers aren’t on Twitter and vice versa.
‘So Threads bridges the gap between the two, allowing me to have more meaningful conversations with other people beyond just sharing photos and reels.
‘Threads is very easy to use, it doesn’t feel bloated with a heavily curated timeline for now, and it exposes me to so many new users I wasn’t aware of before.’
Mr Adebayo believes Threads has what it takes to take on Twitter.
‘Mark Zuckerberg and his team have ample time to study Twitter and understand users’ pain points and if they continue to listen to its users and treat it as a standalone product without contaminating it with the way they have handled Instagram, then it will be a success,’ he said.
Will Francis – ‘Twitter still has some very definite land no-one can grab easily’
Will Francis, a lecturer at the Digital Marketing Institute, said that while Twitter is ‘a mess right now’, its network is unique
Will Francis, a lecturer at the Digital Marketing Institute, said that while Twitter is ‘a mess right now’, its network is unique.
‘All those people you’ve followed on Twitter over the years, in your areas of interest – politics, sport, industry etc etc – how would you even start replicating that feed on Threads?’ he told MailOnline.
‘Twitter still has some very definite land no-one can grab easily.’
Mr Francis added that sentiment towards Meta ‘isn’t exactly that great,’ which could be a limiting factor for the uptake of Threads.
‘[People] will be approaching with caution. Threads’ success hangs on whether this initial interest sustains and it becomes part of people’s social media lives,’ he said.
‘Then the big players will pile in.’
Follow the Daily Mail on Threads.
What is Threads? Everything you need to know about Zuckerberg’s Twitter rival – and what it means for Elon
What is Threads?
Threads is a new microblogging app that was launched by Meta Platforms at 7pm EST and at midnight in the UK.
It is a text-based conversation platform which is linked to Instagram, allowing users to follow accounts they are already interested in on the photo-sharing platform.
Users can share their point of view in thread-like posts that appear very similar to tweets.
‘Threads is where communities come together to discuss everything from the topics you care about today to what’ll be trending tomorrow,’ the App Store’s description reads.
‘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.’
Threads is currently available for pre-order for users aged 12+ on the App Store
The app is available in 31 different languages, including but not limited to English, Traditional Chinese, Russian and Spanish.
Location and browser history is used to make Threads function, according to Meta’s terms of service.
What does it mean for Elon Musk?
Mark Zuckerberg’s Threads comes just days after Elon Musk announced a temporary cap on how many posts a user can read on Twitter.
Now, Twitter users who chalk up the $8 a month to become a verified user can view up to 6,000 daily tweets.
Unverified users can see up to 600 tweets a day, and new unverified accounts can see up to 300 tweets a day.
Threads is likely to be a huge source of competition between Zuckerberg and Musk, with the pair already agreeing to a physical fight last month.
In a tweet earlier this week, Musk appeared to take a swipe at the new platform.
‘Thank goodness they’re so sanely run,’ he wrote in response to a group of Thread screenshots.
Users will be able to share their point of view in thread-like posts that appear very similar to tweets
What personal data will Threads collect?
Threads collects 14 different types of data that may be linked to your identity.
Alongside location and browser history, this includes financial information, purchase history and even health data.
The App Store also suggests that identifiers and ‘sensitive information’ are collected too, in addition to personal contact data.
But data use can vary depending on your use of the features on offer.
A full list of its data collection is below:
- Health and Fitness
- Financial Information
- Contact Information
- User Content
- Browsing History
- Usage Data
- Diagnostics
- Purchases
- Location
- Contacts
- Search History
- Identifiers
- Sensitive Information
- Other Data
How and when can you download it?
Threads is free and is currently available for pre-order for users aged 12 and above on Apple’s App Store.
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