Threads App Launches Instagram Account and Becomes Available to Followers
With less than 24 hours remaining until the launch of Threads, Meta’s social platform that is linked to Instagram and serves as a rival to Twitter, anticipation is growing. The timing of the launch appears to be opportune, considering the recent disappointment caused by Twitter chairman and CTO Elon Musk’s announcement of a temporary limit on the number of tweets users can view per day due to concerns about excessive data scraping. Consequently, Twitter users are actively seeking alternative platforms. In preparation for the launch, Threads has created its own Instagram account and shared its first Reel. Industry analyst Matt Navarra shared on Twitter that the Threads account on Instagram is now open to followers. Additionally, the web version of the app briefly went live earlier today, offering a sneak peek of what users can expect.
An official Instagram account called “threadsapp” has been created for Threads. As of this writing, the account has just over 4,000 followers. It follows five accounts, including Instagram CEO Adam Mosseri, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, and three internal Instagram accounts.
Plus, there’s also a great Easter egg for anyone who searches for Threads on Instagram right now. Typing letters will automatically display a small “flag” icon in the search bar. If you click on it, it will open a large animation of the flag spinning. The ticket shows the app launch time which is 19:30 IST/ 7:00 AM PDT and your Instagram profile picture and username.
The account has posted one reel and one story, both showing the same flag, officially announcing the launch time.
Threads will be posted online for a while
According to a report from The Verge, Threads’ web interface was available for a few hours earlier today. It wasn’t a coincidence, but the creators’ way of letting curious minds explore the space. According to reports, several accounts could be seen live on the platform, including Zuckerberg’s account, whose first message said: “Let’s do this. Welcome to Threads.”
Accounts were also made for other creators and brands, such as Netflix, Instagram and Resy founder Gary Vee.
The web interface is reportedly quite minimalistic, with options for viewing threads as well as liking, commenting, reposting, and sharing.
Decentralized features, also known as Fediverse (a port of Fediverse and Universe), will not be available at launch, but will be added soon. The profiles include a description message that says, “Soon you’ll be able to follow people and interact with other fediversal platforms like Mastodon. They can also find people on Threads with a full username like @zuck@threads.net.”
Shares of Meta Platforms are expected to hit a 52-week high just before the Threads release.
