Mark Zuckerberg just launched Threads, a Twitter rival
- On Wednesday, Meta released Threads, a competitor to Twitter.
- Users may easily log in to Threads using their Instagram accounts because it was developed by the Instagram team.
- According to Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta, 10 million people downloaded the Threads app within the first seven hours after its release.
Meta, the parent company of Instagram, has launched its highly anticipated Threads platform, which directly competes with Twitter. Mark Zuckerberg announced the launch of Threads on the app, signaling the beginning of a battle between the two social media giants. Mark Zuckerberg, the CEO of Meta, intensified his rivalry with Elon Musk, the owner of Twitter, as Meta launched its Threads app in 100 countries on Wednesday. Within the first seven hours of its launch, ten million users signed up for the app, as revealed by Zuckerberg in a post on Threads. However, the app is currently unavailable in the European Union, according to a source familiar with the matter cited by Bloomberg.
Logo of Threads application
Meta has been reaching out to social media influencers to promote Threads, encouraging them to post frequently. The company aims to attract users to the new app and capitalize on its early buzz.
This move comes amidst an ongoing rivalry between tech billionaires Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk, who have exchanged insults and even hinted at a potential physical fight.
Investors are eagerly awaiting the potential impact of Threads, as its integration with Instagram could provide a ready-made user base and advertising system. This could divert advertising revenue away from Twitter, which has been struggling to revitalize its business under new leadership. Danni Hewson, Head of Financial Analysis at AJ Bell, expressed excitement about Meta potentially becoming a “Twitter-Killer.”
While Threads is a standalone app, users can log in using their Instagram credentials and follow the same accounts, making it an easy addition to Instagram’s massive user base of over 2 billion monthly active users. Meta’s stock saw a 3% increase ahead of the launch, outperforming other tech companies in the market.
The timing of Threads’ launch is advantageous for Meta, as Twitter has been facing challenges due to Elon Musk’s controversial decisions as its owner. Since Musk acquired Twitter for $44 billion last year, the platform has experienced a decline in value, losing advertisers and facing controversies over content moderation.
Although advertising on Threads is expected to be introduced gradually after focusing on user growth, major brands are anticipated to invest significant ad spending on the platform. Brands such as Billboard, HBO, and Variety, along with celebrities like Shakira and former Meta Chief Operating Officer Sheryl Sandberg, quickly set up accounts on Threads. However, no ads were visible during a Reuters review of the app.
Despite Meta’s efforts, Threads may face challenges in capturing the attention of dedicated Twitter users who rely on the platform for news and real-time events. The news-oriented culture of Twitter differs from the visual focus of Instagram, making it unlikely that avid Twitter users will immediately switch to Threads. Meta has faced challenges in the past with standalone apps, such as its failed attempt to compete with TikTok through the Lasso app.
As the competition between Meta and Twitter intensifies, it remains to be seen how users and advertisers will respond to the launch of Threads and whether it can truly challenge Twitter’s dominance in the social media landscape.