Within just a few hours of its launch, Threads, the Twitter rival developed by Meta, the parent company of Facebook, has attracted more than 10 million sign-ups, according to CEO Mark Zuckerberg. The number of users is expected to surge even further as Instagram users and social media enthusiasts create accounts on Threads. Reports indicate that by Thursday morning, 23 million users had signed up for the new platform. Threads represent the biggest competition to Twitter, owned by Elon Musk, which has faced numerous potential challengers but remains a dominant force in social media.
Threads, available for both Apple and Android devices in 100 countries, commenced its operations without displaying any advertisements. Notably, various renowned personalities such as Jennifer Lopez, Shakira, and Hugh Jackman, as well as media outlets like The Washington Post and The Economist, have already created active accounts on the platform. In his interactions with new users during the initial hours, Zuckerberg expressed optimism about the platform’s prospects, taking a subtle dig at Musk and Twitter. The Threads launch has sparked speculation about its potential to become a public conversations app with over a billion users, which Twitter has not been able to achieve despite its large user base.
The lead-up to Threads’ release saw discussions on social media branding it a potential “Twitter killer,” as dissatisfied users of the rival platform sought alternatives. Twitter has faced criticism for increased hate speech and glitches since Musk acquired the company. Threads, built as an offshoot of Instagram with its existing user base of over two billion, presents an opportunity for Meta to establish it as the go-to communication channel for celebrities, companies, and politicians. Observers suggest that Threads would require just a fraction of Instagram’s monthly users to reach the scale of Twitter. However, Meta also faces scrutiny over data privacy concerns, particularly in Europe, where critics question its handling of personal data, an essential component for targeted advertising.
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