Meta’s Twitter Rival, Threads, Hits Unprecedented Milestone with 10 Million Signups in Just Seven Hours

Users Flock to Threads, but Deletion Comes with an Unexpected Twist

Meta’s recently launched Twitter rival, Threads, is experiencing an extraordinary surge in user adoption. Within a mere seven hours, the platform has amassed an astounding 10 million signups, as confirmed by Mark Zuckerberg, co-founder and CEO of Meta. This remarkable milestone surpasses the previous record of 5 million signups achieved in four hours, showcasing a substantial demand for a fresh social media platform.

Threads and its Unique Requirement

Although the rapid expansion of Threads is remarkable, the platform introduces an intriguing condition: If a user deletes their Threads account, it will result in the simultaneous termination of their linked Instagram account. This unexpected stipulation, as outlined in Meta’s ‘Supplemental Privacy Policy,’ states that while users have the option to deactivate their Threads profile at any time, deleting the profile necessitates the deletion of the associated Instagram account. This decision has garnered attention from users who are surprised by the close integration of Threads with Instagram and the consequential impact it has on their online presence when discontinuing the use of Threads.

A Promising Launch and Early User Engagement

The launch of Threads has been met with overwhelming interest, with users signing up in droves. Within the first two hours of the app’s availability on the App Store, it garnered over 2 million signups. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg himself acknowledged this milestone on his Threads account, further fueling excitement surrounding the platform. The successful pre-order campaign and the integration with Instagram, including the display of a Threads user number on Instagram accounts, have contributed to the transparent and real-time counting of signups.

Threads: Filling the Void Left by Twitter

With Twitter facing challenges and implementing rate limits, there is a significant appetite among users for a viable alternative. While other platforms like Mastodon and Bluesky have garnered attention, they come with their own compromises. Mastodon’s intimidating sign-up process and uncertainty surrounding the fediverse, and Bluesky’s concerns about repeating moderation mistakes have left room for a new contender. Threads enters the scene at a crucial time, aiming to attract Twitter users who seek a fresh and engaging social media experience.

Zuckerberg’s Support and the Buzz around Threads

To celebrate the launch of Threads, Mark Zuckerberg broke his decade-long silence on Twitter by tweeting about the platform. This move is expected to generate substantial engagement, especially as Twitter grapples with its own challenges and potential successor apps struggle to consolidate its user base. The endorsement from Zuckerberg himself underscores the importance and potential impact of Threads in the evolving social media landscape.

The Challenge of User Retention and Unique Features

While attracting users to a new app is a significant achievement, retaining their interest and engagement is equally crucial. Meta’s decision to forego a chronological feed or a feed based on followed users in Threads suggests that the company relies on algorithmic curation to keep users hooked. However, it is unfortunate that Threads lacks Twitter’s acclaimed feature—a pure timeline free from algorithmic interference. This highlights the trade-offs often associated with Twitter clones, leaving users to navigate a landscape where caveats and compromises have become the norm.

Looking Ahead for Threads

Despite its current limitations, Threads is still in its early stages. The development team has promised to incorporate fediverse-friendly integration, potentially offering users more freedom to choose the content they see—a departure from Meta’s typical walled-garden approach filled with advertisements. As the platform continues to evolve and refine its features, it remains to be seen how Threads will fare in the highly competitive social media landscape and whether it can fulfill the expectations of its growing user base.