Twitter has dominated the scene for years in the short form text category, while Instagram has been known as the place for images and short form videos. However, while Threads may be new to the game, it’s a formidable challenger, offering users an all-in-one platform that combines the best of both worlds. By giving users the ability to post links and images alongside text, Threads has basically turned itself into an Instagram competitor which, unlike Instagram, also allows you to post links.
Now, savvy readers will note two possible ‘problems’ with the above paragraph. First, Twitter also already offers all of these things, and second, Threads is owned by Instagram’s parent company, Meta (nee Facebook), so it may seem weird to look at Threads as competition to Instagram.
While it’s true that Twitter also offers the ability to post images and links along with text, you’d have to live under a rock to not have some idea about Twitter’s problems of late. Plus, Twitter still limits each post to just 280 characters (unless you pay the $8/month for Twitter Verified) while Threads allows for 500 characters per post, no extortion money needed.
As for Threads competing with its older sibling, Instagram, it’s always been the case that one of the biggest complaints about Instagram, particularly among business users and influencers, is the inability to post links in regular posts. There are certain deals to which users can sign on in order to be able to have a clickable link in a post, but they cost money.
Now, in terms of Instagram being eclipsed by its baby sibling, Threads, it may take a while. But Meta seems to be intentionally hastening this, as when you are on Instagram now looking at a user’s profile, there is actually a link directly to their Thread account, so Instagram is actively inviting viewers to hop on over to Threads.
The Internet Patrol is completely free, and reader-supported. Your tips via CashApp, Venmo, or Paypal are appreciated! Receipts will come from ISIPP.
CashApp us
Venmo us
Paypal us
Also, Instagram was one of the primary conduits for people to grab accounts on Threads. In fact while Instagram currently has 2.35billion users, in less than two weeks since its launch Threads has already captured 100million users. And given that when an Instagram user signs up for Threads they can automatically follow and be followed by all of the same users they were on Instagram, it seems likely that Threads is set to be the successor to Instagram in the Metaverse. In fact, it seems like Meta is essentially porting Instagram over to Threads, and that ultimately Threads may be the New & Improved Instagram, Now with Links!
Of course, there are lots of other would be competitors, including Bluesky and Mastodon. But with its access to billions of (captive) users on Instagram (and that’s not even counting Meta’s users on Facebook), the way we see it is that this is a race that is Zuckerberg’s to lose.
Threads is app based, although as of a few days ago they have added the ability to view (but not post from) Threads by browser as well
You can download the app for iPhone here, and for Android here.
The Internet Patrol is completely free, and reader-supported. Your tips via CashApp, Venmo, or Paypal are appreciated! Receipts will come from ISIPP.
CashApp us
Venmo us
Paypal us
