Threads, Instagram’s potent rival to Twitter/X, has unveiled a transformative upgrade by integrating a keyword search function accessible across all regions where the app is active. Initially trialed in English-speaking territories like Australia and New Zealand, this feature is now set to reach a more global audience, supporting all languages, as revealed by Adam Mosseri, Instagram’s head.
The recent expansion to include keyword searches in threads across multiple languages represents a significant step forward. According to TechCrunch, this enhancement aims to cater to the app’s rapidly growing user base, which currently numbers nearly 100 million monthly users worldwide. Furthermore, reports indicate an impending launch in the EU, highlighting Threads’ efforts to cater to a diverse, multilingual user community.
Threads has evolved significantly since its inception. In response to user feedback, the app now includes a chronological following feed, web application support, polls, GIFs, hashtag support without the hash symbol, an edit button, profile switching, and more. Furthermore, the platform has committed to a developer API and plans to integrate with ActivityPub, aligning itself with decentralized social networking protocols such as Mastodon.
Despite these advancements, Threads hasn’t embraced trending topics, a focal aspect of X. The app leans toward an algorithmic feed that often showcases older posts rather than real-time updates. Mosseri has emphasized a departure from news amplification on Threads, diverging from X’s focus on breaking news. However, TechCrunch notes that the influx of former X users to Threads might influence its future trajectory.
Mosseri hinted at forthcoming improvements to the search feature while also emphasizing the app’s commitment to direct users seeking specific health information, such as “long COVID,” to authoritative sources like the CDC website.
Although Threads boasts a significant user base, it is smaller in comparison to X, which currently hosts approximately 550 million monthly active users. With Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg optimistic about Threads’ potential, speculation suggests it could emerge as Meta’s next billion-user app in the coming years, TechCrunch reports.