Meta has rolled out the first major update for Threads, its recently launched social networking app. The update introduces new features aimed at enhancing user experience and bringing the app closer to its rival, Twitter. Notable additions include the Follows tab in the activity feed, enabling users to track who has followed them, and the ability to subscribe to unfollowed users through notifications. Additionally, iOS users can now translate post text for cross-posting across different regions.
However, some essential features like a chronological feed, direct messages, and hashtags are still missing, leaving users wanting more. Concerns have also been raised about the inability to remove oneself from Threads without deleting the entire Instagram account and the absence of a web version, limiting accessibility.
Meta’s quick response comes as Threads experienced declining usage following its initial spike. To sustain user interest and build a dedicated community, Meta aims to introduce new features and expand into the European Union market. According to reports, Threads has seen a 50% decrease in time spent by users and a drop of over 25% in daily active users on Android phones globally. The update’s full rollout is expected soon, with some features being enabled server-side.
