What is Threads by Instagram?

Instagram Threads is a fantastic social networking application that centres on the creation of concise textual expressions spanning a maximum of 500 characters. In addition to textual content, users can incorporate captivating images, brief video clips, and even hyperlinks into their posts. If this resembles the popular platform Twitter, you wouldn't be mistaken—indeed, that's the intended outcome.

Meta, the esteemed organization behind Facebook and Instagram, had originally slated the official launch of this remarkable application for late July 2023. However, with unexpected swiftness, the date was advanced to July 6th, gracing the screens of eager users residing in a multitude of nations. Due to stringent privacy regulations and the impending Digital Markets Act, this innovative app isn't currently accessible within the European Union.

How to Use Instagram Threads?

The experience offered by Threads can be best described as a fusion of Instagram and Twitter. While some features have taken inspiration from Twitter, others have been directly imported from Instagram. To get started, you can download the app from the App Store for iPhone or the Google Play Store for Android devices.

Threads empower you with the ability to create text posts of up to 500 characters, combine multiple text posts, attach photos and videos of up to 5 minutes in length, mention other users, and share links. Additionally, Threads incorporates several familiar options. Similar to Instagram, you can express your appreciation for a post by tapping the heart icon, replying to it, adding it to your story, or sharing it on your feed. A novel feature in Threads is the "Repost" and "Quote" capabilities. "Repost" functions similarly to a retweet, while quoting enables you to share a post with your own attached caption.

The home feed in Threads operates purely based on algorithms and lacks the chronological option found on Twitter or Instagram. You are presented with what Meta believes you should see. Initially, this does not include any advertisements or promoted posts, although it is likely to change in the future.

In addition to the home feed, Threads provides a search tab, an activity tab that displays replies and mentions, and a profile tab. These features adhere to the standards of contemporary social media applications. This aspect contributes significantly to its increasing popularity, as it is user-friendly and recognizable.

Do I Need an Instagram Account to Use Threads?

Threads incorporate various familiar options. Similar to Instagram, you can show appreciation for a post by tapping the heart icon, responding to it, adding it to your story, or sharing it on your feed. An innovative feature in Threads is the "Repost" and "Quote" functionalities. "Repost" operates similarly to a retweet, while quoting enables you to share a post with your accompanying caption. The home feed in Threads relies solely on algorithms and lacks the chronological option available on Twitter or Instagram. You are presented with content that Meta believes is most relevant for you. Initially, this excludes any advertisements or promoted posts, though it may change in the future. In addition to the home feed, Threads provides a search tab, an activity tab that displays replies and mentions, and a profile tab. These features adhere to the norms of contemporary social media applications. This contributes significantly to its burgeoning popularity, as it is user-friendly and instantly recognizable.

Is Instagram Threads Decentralized?

As of July 2023, Threads remains a centralized platform, and Meta has not provided a specific timeline for its decentralization plans.

During the sign-up process for Threads, you may come across a page introducing "The Fediverse." It refers to a future version of Threads that will be compatible with a "new type of social media network." This network allows individuals to follow and interact with each other across different platforms. Think of it like email, where you can send messages between Yahoo and Gmail accounts.

At present, Mastodon stands as the most popular decentralized social network. It is part of the Fediverse, a collection of servers that share common protocols. Meta intends to make Threads compatible with the Fediverse, enabling users to follow Threads accounts from Mastodon and vice versa.

What Data Does Instagram Threads Collect?

As anticipated by the corporate entity behind Facebook, Threads meticulously gathers an extensive range of data about its users. According to the listings on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, Threads accumulates and interlinks diverse data types with user identities. These encompass health and fitness insights, purchase particulars, financial information, location data, contact details8, network connections, user-generated content, search and browsing histories, identifiers, usage data, sensitive information, diagnostics, photos and videos, and calendar entries. It is worth noting that not all of these permissions are obligatory. Regrettably, protracted permission lists similar to this are not an uncommon occurrence among social networking applications. Nonetheless, it should be underscored that not every social networking app necessitates such extensive access to user data.

For the sake of comparison, let us juxtapose the permission lists of Threads with the aforementioned Mastodon. Although we generally abstain from sharing extensive screenshots, presenting a visual comparison of the two services facilitates the discernment of their contrasting permission scopes.

As always, it remains paramount to exercise due diligence and comprehend the ramifications before committing to a new application.

How to Delete Threads Account?

Deleting your Threads account is inextricably linked to your Instagram account due to the close association between Threads and Instagram. As of July 2023, once you have registered for Threads, you are effectively bound to it for as long as your Instagram account remains active. However, the option to deactivate your Threads account is available. This action effectively conceals your profile and content from other Threads and Instagram users. To accomplish this, navigate to the profile tab, locate the menu icon situated in the upper-right corner, select "Account," and proceed to choose the "Deactivate Profile" option.

While it is conceivable that Meta may revise their approach in the future and provide a separate option to delete your Threads account, presently, the most viable recourse is to deactivate your account. Should you desire to employ Threads independently of your primary account, it will be necessary to create a new Instagram account.

Can I Use Instagram Threads on Desktop?

Instagram Threads is exclusively available on mobile apps for iPhone and Android; it is not accessible on desktop platforms. As of July 2023, visiting the threads.net website reveals a QR code that directs users to download the app.

The release of a desktop version for Instagram took some time, and even more so for the incorporation of photo and video posting capabilities. Considering the significant use of Twitter on desktop platforms, it is highly likely that a Threads desktop experience will be introduced in the future.