Twitter’s Newest Rival Meta Threads Rakes in 10 Million Sign-Ups Under 7 Hours

Meta, the parent company of Facebook, has unveiled its latest attempt to rival Twitter with the launch of an app called Threads. This new app aims to provide a platform for real-time online conversations, a key feature that has long been synonymous with Twitter. Mark Zuckerberg, the CEO of Meta, announced that Threads received an impressive 10 million sign-ups within a mere seven hours of its official launch. 

Upon closer inspection, Threads exhibits numerous similarities to Twitter, in terms of both its layout and product description. The app highlights its potential to foster connections and build a following, allowing users to engage with like-minded individuals. Zuckerberg expressed his vision for Threads, stating, “We hope to take what Instagram does best and create a new experience around text, ideas, and discussing what’s on your mind.”

The app operates on a 500-character limit for posted messages and is available in 100 countries for both iOS and Android platforms. Upon downloading, users are prompted to link their Instagram accounts, personalize their profiles, and follow the same accounts they already engage with on Instagram. Threads resemble Twitter in terms of its familiar layout, text-based feed, and the ability to repost and quote other Thread posts. It also incorporates Instagram’s aesthetics and enables users to share posts directly from Threads to Instagram Stories. Verified Instagram accounts are automatically recognized as verified on Threads. Additionally, Thread accounts can be set as either public or private.

Threads enter an increasingly competitive field of Twitter rivals, with Meta’s extensive resources and massive user base positioning it as a potential major threat to Twitter. Meanwhile, Twitter itself faces internal challenges, including recent service outages and temporary restrictions on tweet consumption. Elon Musk, who acquired Twitter in October, has been making significant changes to the platform, which has led to discontent among advertisers and prominent users. As Twitter seeks avenues for growth, it recently announced plans to introduce payment requirements for its TweetDeck tool for organizing and monitoring followed accounts.

In a reciprocal move, Twitter has attempted to encroach on Meta’s domain by introducing encrypted messaging and planning to incorporate calling features. These developments enable Twitter to compete with Meta’s platforms like Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp.

The rivalry between the two companies has intensified and exacerbated the personal rivalry between Musk and Zuckerberg. Musk took a jab at Meta by responding to a tweet about Threads, expressing his concerns about exclusive control under Zuckerberg’s influence. Zuckerberg retaliated by posting an Instagram story featuring Musk’s tweet and the caption “Send Me Location.” Following the Threads app launch, Zuckerberg tweeted an image of two cartoon Spider-Men pointing at each other, further fueling the rivalry.With Threads amassing significant user interest in its initial hours and Meta’s determination to challenge Twitter’s dominance, the battle between these two tech giants is set to intensify. As users flock to explore Threads, Meta aims to establish a formidable presence in the real-time conversation space while competing head-on with Twitter for user engagement and loyalty.

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