Threads vs. Twitter: A New Contender Emerges in Social Media Conversations

Social media has changed the way we connect and talk to each other. Now, with the launch of Threads by Meta, the company behind Instagram and Facebook, there’s a new player in the online conversation game. Threads is similar to Twitter, but it also has its own special features that make it different. In this article, we’ll explore what makes Threads and Twitter strong and weak, and how they could shape the future of social media.

Sign-Up Requirements: Instagram vs. Standalone Accounts

When it comes to signing up for Threads, having an existing Instagram account is a must. The great thing is that Threads and Instagram are seamlessly integrated, making the signing-up process smooth and easy. But, Deleting Threads would result in the deletion of the associated Instagram account as well. 

 On the other hand, Twitter works independently as its own social media platform, meaning you don’t need an account from any other platform to sign up. This gives Threads an advantage since it can tap into Instagram’s massive user base of 2 billion users, while Twitter has to solely rely on its own methods of attracting users.

User Experience and Interface: Similarities and Distinctions

Threads and Twitter have user-friendly interfaces that let people create posts and have conversations. Threads allows you to write longer posts with up to 500 characters, giving you more space to express yourself compared to Twitter’s 280-word limit. Threads also lets you share videos up to 5 minutes long, while Twitter’s videos can only be up to 2 minutes and 20 seconds. These features make Threads more enjoyable and allow for more engaging multimedia content.

User Base and Engagement: Threads’ Explosive Growth and Twitter’s Reach

Threads got a lot of attention when it first launched, with a whopping 100 million people signing up in just one week. This was because Threads is integrated with Instagram and has some cool features that people find appealing. On the other hand, Twitter already has a big user base with over 368 million monthly active users as of December 2022. However, it’s expected that the number of Twitter users will decrease to around 335 million by 2024, a drop of about 5% from 2022. A study by Website Planet found that brands on Threads got eight times more likes and had a higher engagement rate compared to Twitter.

Privacy and Communication Features: Threads’ Trade-Offs

In Threads, you can choose whether to have a private or public account, just like on Twitter. But one thing to keep in mind is that Threads tracks what you do within the app, similar to Instagram. Unlike Twitter, Threads doesn’t have hashtags or trending topics. Also, Threads doesn’t have a separate direct messaging (DM) feature like Twitter does. Instead, you communicate through comments and replies on posts. This might be a downside for some users who prefer the privacy and direct conversations offered by Twitter’s DM system.

Verification: Instagram’s Carryover vs. Twitter’s Subscription Model

Getting verified on Threads is easy if you’re already verified on Instagram. Your verification status carries over from Instagram, so you don’t have to go through the process again. This makes it seamless and convenient. On the other hand, Twitter has changed its verification process. Now, users can buy a verification badge through the Twitter Blue subscription. This raises concerns about whether verification is based on reputation or simply if you can afford it. Threads, by relying on Instagram’s verification, ensures that the process is credible and trustworthy.

News and Politics: Twitter’s Dominance

Threads has a big drawback right now when it comes to news and politics. It doesn’t have many political figures or news outlets using the platform. This means it may not be the best place to get comprehensive news coverage. In contrast, Twitter has become popular for real-time news updates and discussions. To be a strong competitor, Threads needs to attract a diverse range of voices, including politicians and media organizations.

Conclusion:

Threads and Twitter have different ways of helping people connect and engage on social media. Threads works seamlessly with Instagram, allowing users to have longer posts and share multimedia content, which many people find attractive. On the other hand, Twitter is known for providing real-time news updates and being a global hub for discussions. Both platforms have their strengths, and they will likely continue to exist together, serving different user preferences and making the social media landscape more diverse and interesting.