Microblogging has become incredibly popular in this era due to its unique ability to deliver instant information and engage users with concise and engaging content. With the rise of platforms like Twitter and Threads, microblogging has transformed the way we consume and share information. The brevity of microblogging posts allows for quick and easy consumption, making it ideal for our fast-paced lives. Additionally, microblogging platforms offer a global reach, connecting people from all corners of the world and fostering a sense of community.
Elon Musk's Twitter Takeover
On October 27, 2022, Elon Musk concluded his $44 billion purchase of Twitter. On April 5, 2022, Musk had acquired more than 9 percent of Twitter's shares on the open market. During his visit, Musk reportedly informed Twitter employees that reductions would occur, though not to the extent previously reported. Musk dismissed Agrawal, the chief financial officer (CFO) Ned Segal, Gadde, and the general counsel Sean Edgett immediately. Musk transformed the company by ordering immediate reductions, firing executives via email, and establishing product deadlines. Twitter filed a lawsuit against Musk in July 2022 to compel him to fulfill his promise to acquire the company.
Elon Musk's Effect
Social media giants have had a noteworthy week. Last weekend, Twitter, a text-based social network with about 250 million daily active users, began to limit how much its users could use it. Users could only see a few hundred tweets before they were cut off for the day. This is what Elon tweeted:
To address extreme levels of data scraping & system manipulation, we’ve applied the following temporary limits: - Verified accounts are limited to reading 6000 posts/day - Unverified accounts to 600 posts/day - New unverified accounts to 300/day
Actually If I were to speak solely from my perspective, I would say that I really like how he handles everything. Even though many users are unhappy with it, many users continue to oppose him. Many users got suspended.
Exploring the Twitter API: Bug or Limitation?
The limitation remained in place for the next two or three days. Tweets did not load when I used one of my non-paid Twitter accounts. Even after limiting was quietly removed, new limits were imposed, such as logged out users not seeing tweets. This means that, for the time being, Twitter cannot be used for public announcements that anybody can read. But that's okay, What;s the problem with API? Many users can't read Tweets using Twitter API. Not even paid users. I was also a bit shocked when I faced this issue. I though maybe It's because I'm using free plans. But no, Even so many paid users are having the same issue. How do I know that? You can check this issue on Github. But It's not happening to everyone. Some free users are still able to read tweets. so I think It's a bug. and Twitter should fix it as soon as possible.
Also these new Twitter plans are quite expensive. Althrough Elon didn't spend this much money for nothing. Let's have a look at these:
But I can say, He gave Twitter a new taste. such as:
- Open-source code
- Bot Removal
- Fighting spam
- Remove child sexual abuse material
- Protecting accounts
- Opportunity for all real users for the verification badge
Threads: A new Twitter clone?
Mastodon, Spill, BlueSky - the list of Twitter alternatives grows as Elon Musk's turbulent reign encourages people explore their options. Now comes the big one, from a company with the resources and scale to succeed. Yes, I'm talking about Threads. According to the company, the platform, like Twitter, is intended to foster public debates. In comparison, Instagram Threads had a successful launch with no throttling. Threads is clearly designed to compete with Twitter, giving the same text-based social network capabilities. The app was launched live in the early hours on July 6, and has already had 10 million sign-ups in the first 7 hours.
It is currently available only on iOS and Android.
The pace hasn't slowed much since, and Threads surpassed 30 million sign-ups in the first 24 hours. Onboarding 30 million new users in less than a day - with no rate limitation - is a huge accomplishment for any social network. This is a pure hype.
Bluesky, another Twitter competitor, debuted its app in February 2023. In the four months afterwards, the app has grown to 180,000 users, with another 2 million on the waiting list. Bluesky is slowing user onboarding because it needs to scale infrastructure as the app grows and build moderation capabilities such as blocking or muting, which are becoming increasingly crucial as a social network grows in size. This is where Threads took advantage.
At the magnitude of tens of millions of users, the fact that Meta was able to launch without limiting is extremely impressive for some reasons. such as:
-
Infrastructure preparedness: Threads demonstrated a well-prepared infrastructure right from the outset, encompassing robust compute, storage, and networking capabilities. This enabled rapid scalability to accommodate the large and active user base. The Threads team was able to leverage the existing infrastructure of Instagram, which serves over 1 billion monthly active users, providing them with a solid foundation.
-
Moderation tools and network dynamics: Effective moderation is vital for the growth and success of social networks. Threads benefits from comprehensive moderation tools that empower users to block or mute others, along with platform-level moderation to address issues such as hate speech and harassment. Meta's wealth of in-house expertise gained from Facebook and Instagram greatly contributes to the Threads team's ability to maintain a safe and positive user experience.
Some great features on Threads
Threads, the innovative microblogging platform developed by Meta, has been making waves in the digital realm. With its unique set of features, Threads offers users a fresh and engaging microblogging experience. In this article, we delve into the notable features that set Threads apart, exploring how they enhance the way users connect, share, and engage on this dynamic platform.
There are so many great features on Threads which I liked. such as:
Joining Threads is a seamless experience
To begin, you'll need an active Instagram account. Once you have that in place, simply download the Threads app on your iOS or Android device. From there, you can effortlessly set up your Threads account using the same username you have on Instagram. This ensures a consistent identity across both platforms, making the process even more straightforward.
Features like twitter
Threads is similar to Twitter in many ways, and it works pretty much the same way. It's mostly about text-based chats, and each of your posts, called "threads," can only be 500 characters long. To talk about other people in a thread, just type "@" followed by their handle. It is also possible to respond to someone else's posts. You can also quote or copy another user's threads by clicking a button, but in Threads, this is called "repost" instead of "retweet."
Advantages for Creators
According to Meta, Threads will reduce the risk for creators who want to attempt a new text-based social media app but don't want to put in the effort required to build a new following from scratch. Instead, they might start by encouraging their Instagram followers to join Threads. However, users will still need to opt in to follow their favorite creators on Threads, and there is no assurance that all of the creator's fans will be interested in the new app.
There are no Ads
Threads has no advertisements at the moment. But don't expect that to last. Meta, which generates the vast bulk of its money by analyzing what users do online and uses that information to target them with adverts, says it may allow ads in the future.
Exploring Reasons for Disliking Threads
Actually this is about Meta. I can write a lot of reasons for disliking and sometimes hating Meta. But now I'll just talk about some reasons for disliking Threads.
Threads: The Algorithm
When you open the Threads app, you're presented with a feed of threads comprised of accounts you've selected to follow as well as algorithmically produced ideas. Threads already features singers, actresses, and social activists, as well as entertainment corporations such as Netflix.
However, there is no method to have Threads display only postings from accounts you've selected to follow, and there is no way to clean the home page of Threads from users you didn't choose.
There's also no option to order your feed chronologically; instead, it's organized by what the Threads algorithm believes you'll be interested in.
Your Privacy on Threads
Threads accounts, like Twitter, can be public or private. On a public post, you can also limit who can respond to everyone, only the accounts you follow, or only the accounts you mention in the post.
However, Threads is just as hungry for your personal information as Facebook and Instagram are. According to Patrick Jackson of the privacy tech firm Disconnect, the Threads app is using data that you might not expect, such as phone parameters (model number, screen resolution, and time zone) and identifiers such as a timestamp for when you loaded the app.
Conclusion
When it comes to choosing between Threads and Twitter, it really comes down to the user's individual preference. Both platforms are excellent tools for microblogging, but they offer different features that can be better suited for different purposes. Threads has a more interactive and conversational focus, while Twitter has a more public and broadcast-style focus. It is ultimately up to the user to decide which platform works best for their needs.
FAQs
- How can I create an account on Threads?
- You'll need an Instagram account to create an account on Threads.
- Is It available for Desktop?
- No, currently It's only available on Android and iOS.
- How can I delete my account?
- You can only delete and deactivate your Threads account by deleting your entire Instagram account.