Threads By Instagram Goes Live As Zuck Posts First Tweet In A Decade

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg launched Threads, Instagram’s long-awaited rival to Twitter, which is now live worldwide. Threads allows users to post text updates, photos, and short videos. Many believe Threads could attract disgruntled Twitter users unhappy with CEO Elon Musk's leadership.

Zuckerberg tweeted for the first time in over a decade to promote Threads' launch, posting a meme appearing to mock Musk. "I intend to keep Threads friendly, which will be key to success," Zuckerberg said. In response, Musk tweeted that "Twitter is infinitely preferable to the false happiness of Instagram."

Threads' key advantage is allowing users to tap into their existing Instagram audiences. Other Twitter rivals like Bluesky and Mastodon have struggled because users can't transfer their followers. With over 1 billion monthly Instagram users, Threads overcomes this.

Zuckerberg believes Threads will be bigger than Instagram. Threads launched with basic features like 500-character posts, following/unfollowing and blocking users. Planned updates include editing posts, posting to Mastodon, and private messaging.

Users can post text, photos, videos up to 5 minutes long, and links on Threads. They can filter mentions and replies. The current app lacks some features required for Europe's GDPR privacy law, so Threads is unavailable in the EU. Meta says it is looking into the EU launch but is non committal about it, though the service has launched in over 100 countries including India.

Zuckerberg aims for a friendly community on Threads, unlike the harassment and misinformation on Twitter, to drive growth in a way that "Twitter hasn't properly." However, some critics argue Threads could face similar issues if it grows as large as Twitter.

With over 1 billion Instagram users and features rivaling Twitter, Zuckerberg believes Threads can become the preferred platform for short posts and sharing. If it achieves strong, sustainable growth, Threads could cement Meta's dominance in social media -- or at least reduce reliance on the news feed ads driving 98% of Meta's revenue.

The launch of Threads comes as Meta faces slowing user growth across its apps and competition from TikTok. Investors are closely watching how Threads impacts Meta's revenue and stock price. Meta shares rose slightly on news of the Threads launch, suggesting cautious optimism around Meta's push into new formats.

Also Read: OnePlus Nord 3, Nord CE 3 & Nord Buds 2r launched in India