Threads App Achieves Impressive Milestone with 100 Million Users in Under a Week

Just a week after its launch, Threads, a text-based messaging application by Instagram, has reached the remarkable milestone of amassing 100 million users. The quick surge in registrations, which occurred within the first 48 hours of the app's launch, has exceeded expectations set by its parent company, Meta Platforms Inc.

Even more astonishing is the fact that this meteoric rise was largely "organic" – the majority of these sign-ups happened without significant promotional activities. Such rapid growth has set a new record, leaving the previous growth rates of ChatGPT, TikTok, and even Instagram itself in the dust.

Threads: An Unprecedented Success Story

To put Threads' impressive achievement into perspective, OpenAI's ChatGPT took two months to reach 100 million users, TikTok took nine months, while Instagram took two and a half years to reach the same number of users. For Threads, reaching the 100 million user mark in less than a week is nothing short of extraordinary.

One factor that played a pivotal role in Threads' rapid user adoption was the link between existing Instagram and Threads accounts. This connection allowed the existing 1.6 billion Instagram users outside of the European Union to sign up for Threads quickly and effortlessly, facilitating immediate engagement with an already-established audience from the get-go.

However, as of now, Threads has not been launched in the European Union. This decision comes amid growing concerns surrounding the app's privacy policies. Despite this, the app has seen a staggering response globally, a clear indicator that Threads has established its footing in the social media landscape.

Twitter Responds to the Rising Threat

The launch of Threads comes as a potential threat to other established social media giants, especially Twitter. In response to this rising competition, Twitter issued a letter threatening to sue Meta. The letter insinuated that Meta hired former Twitter employees who had access to Twitter's trade secrets. Elon Musk, the CEO of Twitter, responded to the potential lawsuit with humor, making light of the situation on the Twitter platform itself.

Inside the Threads App

Currently, Threads is the top free app on both the App Store and Google Play stores. This rapid acceptance and adoption have been powered by a diverse user base comprising celebrities, influencers, brands, and regular users alike.

Inside the Threads app, users can view the latest posts on their home feed, discover new people to follow, and access their recent notifications. The user profiles include a Threads and Replies tab, and users can share posts containing up to 500 characters of text, five minutes of video, and/or ten images. Posts on Threads can also be shared on Instagram Stories, added to the Instagram feed, tweeted on Twitter, and posted on other social networks. This cross-platform sharing feature allows users to promote their new accounts and gain followers on Threads.

Despite the initial success, Threads still has some notable features missing. For instance, the app currently doesn't support ActivityPub, a protocol used for posts on decentralized networks. Without this, Threads can't fully integrate into the federated network of platforms known as the "fediverse". Threads also lacks a feature for post searches, direct messages, hashtags, and a "Following" feed. Moreover, it has a read-only web interface and adheres to Instagram's strict rules regarding content, which means no nudity is allowed on the platform.

Privacy Concerns and User Data

Despite its rapid growth and wide acceptance, Threads has faced criticism over its data privacy policies. Some users who downloaded the app raised concerns about the app's privacy disclaimers, which state that a significant amount of user data will be linked to their identity. Notably, former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey criticized the app's privacy disclaimers, with Elon Musk also drawing attention to the privacy notices.

Reacting to these concerns, Aaron Mendes, CEO and co-founder of PrivacyHawk, stated that Threads merely discloses all the data they might collect in their primary apps, Instagram and Facebook. He emphasized that it doesn't necessarily mean they collect data on every user and it largely depends on how users interact with the app and what permissions they grant.

Account Deactivation and Deletion

Considering the link between Instagram and Threads, users can deactivate their Threads profile or delete both their Instagram and Threads account. At present, if a user wishes to delete their Threads profile and data, they will have to delete their Instagram account. However, Meta is reportedly exploring options to allow users to delete their Threads profile separately. Deactivating an Instagram account also results in the deactivation of the associated Threads profile.

Future Prospects

Threads has set a new precedent in the realm of social media apps with its incredible user growth within a week of its launch. The Threads team will now have the challenging task of keeping these users engaged on the platform over the long term. Whether Threads can maintain its current growth rate and secure user engagement will determine its long-term success.

Given the widespread user acceptance, it's clear that Threads has tapped into an unmet demand in the social media market. However, the app's ability to retain its user base, continuously innovate, and address privacy concerns will determine if Threads can continue to be a dominant player in the world of social media. The coming months will provide more insight into whether Threads will become a staple in our digital lives, just as its parent app, Instagram, has become.

Threads' Promotional Strategies and Pre-Launch Activities

Leading up to the launch, Threads engaged in a series of promotional activities. Instagram's CEO, Adam Mosseri, along with Instagram's official @creators account, used their channels to announce the upcoming launch to their members. According to a poll on Mosseri's IG Updates channel, over 16,000 members planned to sign up for Threads in the first week. In addition, nearly 14,000 users followed the official @threadsapp account on Instagram.

In another promotional push, Threads offered a pre-order promotion via the App Store. This allowed iOS users to be notified when Threads was available for download. Furthermore, influencers with early access were reportedly given guides detailing what actions to take in the lead-up to the launch.

The Story of Threads: A Second Attempt

Interestingly, the 2023 launch of Threads isn't Instagram's first attempt at introducing an app by this name. Back in 2019, Instagram launched an app called Threads as a camera-centric messaging platform. This version was designed for sharing photos, videos, and status updates with a close circle of friends. It also allowed users to have dedicated inboxes and notifications for their Instagram close friends list in a standalone app. However, the 2019 version of Threads didn't meet Instagram's expectations and was ultimately shuttered in 2021.

Threads as a Potential Twitter Alternative

The revamped Threads app of 2023 appears to be striking the right chord with users. Its rapid rise and massive user base are compelling enough to consider it as a potential alternative to other well-established social media platforms, including Twitter. While it's too early to predict the long-term impact of Threads on the social media landscape, the initial signs are promising.

As Threads continues to evolve and add new features, it has the potential to significantly alter the way users interact on social media platforms. Although Threads has had a remarkable start, its future will be determined by how well it manages to keep its current user base engaged, innovates to attract new users, and addresses concerns related to privacy and user data.

In the coming weeks and months, more information will undoubtedly emerge regarding Threads' continued growth, its impact on the social media landscape, and any new features or changes to the app. Until then, the world watches with eager anticipation to see how this new player in the social media arena performs.

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