I started using social networking in the era of online services like Usenet, CompuServe, GEnie, and Prodigy. I’m still a heavy user of social networks. Today, in addition to the usual services, we’re also joining new Twitter alternatives such as Bluesky, Counter Social, Mastodon, and T2. I recently attended the latest Meta’s Threads and wasn’t too impressed.
Here’s why:
Related article: How to join and use Meta’s Twitter rival thread
Starting from the top, Threads is considered to be a more text-friendly version of Instagram. True, you need an Instagram account to get a Threads account. Personally, I wish Instagram had more features, but that’s just my opinion.
However, Threads is only available via Android or iOS applications. Now some people can easily write texts on their mobile phones. I’m not one of them. Sure, I can text a few words, but even Twitter’s 280 characters is a challenge for me. And I’m not alone. For those who “speak” using the keyboard, already provide him with a web-based interface. After all, so are all other social media services.
I also like to go on social networks, especially Twitter (before it became toxic) for breaking news. I can’t find it in the thread either. In a discussion on Threads, Instagram and Threads boss Adam Mosseri told The Verge’s Alex Heath that there was no value in “increasing engagement or revenue” from “engaging in politics or hard news.” he said. Instead, you can talk about sports, music, fashion, beauty, entertainment, and more, and share photos. In other words, it’s a lot like Instagram.
Also: Changing this phone setting immediately made the Threads app easier to use.
And that’s by design, Mosseri explained. “The goal is not to replace Twitter. The goal is to create a public square of interest to communities on Instagram that have never really embraced Twitter and communities on Twitter (and other platforms). It’s a place for less angry conversations, but it’s not what Twitter is all about. ”
But serious discussion doesn’t necessarily have to involve anger. Twitter is simply embracing the outrage by welcoming previously banned users and extremists.
I have no objection to loose topics. My social networking followers know that I love cats, dogs, dad jokes, Marvel movies, and Broadway musicals. But we also care about more serious topics, such as technology and business news and views. Of course, I’m also concerned about politics. I’m not into the idea of a PG-13 social network.
On a lighter and simpler topic, it’s not currently possible to natively add GIFs to threaded posts. There’s a workaround for his GIF, which is to use a third-party keyboard, but I don’t understand why that feature isn’t built in from the beginning.
Threads also desperately need an option for chronological threads. Facebook is notorious for playing games with your feed, so you can’t receive messages in chronological order.
Also: 5 things you need to know about threads before engaging your Instagram account
The situation is even worse with threads. The app shows a chaotic mix of posts from people you follow and recommended content from people, groups, and companies you don’t follow. At this time, we cannot decide what is recommended. Instead, it’s Meta’s decision.
And in my opinion, that’s crazy. For example, let’s say you want to talk to your friends about a baseball game in real time. This is an easy task on other social networks. The social network is currently being built, so good luck chatting in threads.
A related problem is that ads are mixed into the feed. What’s worse, there’s no easy way to distinguish them from actual messages. This problem is really annoying. By the way, I have no interest in buying Barbie’s Dream House. Seriously, no.
You can improve your reading experience by navigating to the top of your profile page. Once there, tap the two-bar icon in the top right. This will bring you to Settings. from here,[設定]/[通知]/[スレッドと返信]to toggle notification options. It’s not a perfect solution, but it helps.
Another problem with threads is that you don’t know when someone tags you in a post unless you stumble across their message. Conversations don’t start with such a chance encounter.
Also: Is your iPhone showing “Charging Pending”?Here’s what this means and what you should do
Meta also promises to support “decentralization” soon. This means you can talk to your friends on other social networks that support the ActivityPub protocol. Mastodon is currently the most popular social network that supports this approach. This is useful, but when combined with Threads’ messy message streams, it’s not very promising in the early stages.
Now let’s move on to security. Privacy may not be important to some people, but if it is, Threads is not your friend. But then again, Facebook and Instagram are different. Meta’s privacy record is abysmal. It’s unlikely that the thread will get any better.
Tristan Louis, an internet veteran and CEO of Casebook PBC, took a closer look at Threads’ privacy settings compared to other social networks. Louis found it “worse than other social media platforms.”
Louis also said, “Threads wants to know everything about you, whereas Twitter is more limited in getting data. Mastodon and BlueSky are clearly at each other’s throats over who gets the least amount of data.” Specifically, meta assets include “some of the assets, such as political/religious beliefs, sexual orientation, credit scores, and health and fitness.” area” is being tracked. There’s a reason you can’t get a Threads account in the European Union. At the heart of this is privacy.
The best part about Threads is that it’s easy to join if you’re one of Instagram’s 1.628 billion users. If you’re an Instagram member, you can join Threads in far less time than it takes to read this article. article. What really makes Threads grow is the ability to bring in all of your Instagram friends. Just press the “Import from Instagram” button and you’re ready to go. Unlike other new social networks, you don’t have to look for your friends again.
Also: How to find followers and friends on Mastodon
However, that level of integration does not mean success is guaranteed. Google also automated the incorporation of users into its late social network Google+. I really liked him G+, but it never caught fire. Would a Facebook and Instagram user really want to join a third meta-social network? Is there already something very similar to Instagram? Personally, I doubt it.
Still, even though Meta isn’t promoting Threads as an alternative to Twitter, Twitter’s membership numbers are declining, and that’s not just due to politics. Twitter continues to fail due to owner Elon Musk’s negligence. People want a new Twitter-like service, and Instagram has given Threads the lead.
But let’s say you find out you hate Threads — can you stop? No, not yet. You should also zap your Instagram account now to delete the thread. Again, if the thread gets dumped, Instagram is gone too. Meta is working on a fix for this issue, but if you’re a loyal Instagram user, Threads is your only option for now.
Also: How to enable UWB on Android (and why you should)
Even if Meta cleans up the thread, it may still succeed. Personally, it’s my least favorite of the new social networks. In short, I find it more of a hassle than a convenience.
But while social networks rely on technology and interfaces to function, it’s the people you spend time with that make them successful. If your crew ends up in the thread, you’ll end up there too. For now, you’re more likely to find me at Bluesky and Mastodon, each with their own differences.