Introducing Instagram Threads: The Ultimate Guide for Text-Based Social Media

July 5, 2023 marked the launch of Instagram Threads, a new social media app that’s been creating waves since day one. If you're wondering what Threads is all about, how it stacks up to other platforms, and why everyone seems to be talking about it, you're in the right place. In this blog, we’ll break down what Threads is, what it can do, and how you can start using it today.

Let's dive into the details.

What Is Instagram Threads?

Instagram Threads is the latest text-based social media app from Meta, built by the Instagram team to focus on real-time conversations and public engagement. You can think of it as a sibling to Instagram, but more focused on text-based content—where you can share thoughts, updates, and conversations rather than just visuals.

Threads offers a different way to connect: short text posts that allow up to 500 characters. Posts can include links, photos, and videos up to 5 minutes in length. It’s an excellent place to start conversations, share what's on your mind, and engage with a broader community.

What sets Threads apart is its seamless integration with Instagram. You log in using your Instagram account, and your username carries over automatically. It even allows you to follow the same accounts you already follow on Instagram, so there's no need to start from scratch in building your community.

For more details, check out Meta's official announcement on Threads.

Key Features of Instagram Threads

Here's a rundown of what makes Threads stand out:

Post Length: You can share posts of up to 500 characters, giving you more room than X (formerly Twitter), which limits users to 280 characters.
Multimedia Content: Threads lets you include photos, videos (up to 5 minutes long), and links in your posts.
Crossposting with Instagram: Sharing between Threads and Instagram is super easy, so you can amplify your content across both platforms without hassle.
Community and Safety: Like Instagram, Threads includes safety features such as controlling who can reply to your posts, blocking unwanted profiles, and filtering replies based on specific keywords.

Getting Started with Threads

Ready to jump in? Here's how you get started:

Download the App: Search for "Threads, an Instagram App" on the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and install it.
Log in with Instagram: Simply use your Instagram account to log in—no new account setup required.
Customize Your Profile: You can import your existing Instagram bio or create a new one specific to Threads.
Privacy Settings: Choose between a public profile, which anyone can see, or a private profile, which is only visible to followers you approve.
Auto-Follow Accounts: If you want, you can automatically follow all the same accounts you follow on Instagram, or you can pick and choose manually.

Threads vs Twitter: What's Different?

At a glance, Threads may seem similar to Twitter, but there are key differences that make it unique:

Character Limit: Threads offers 500 characters, which allows for more detailed thoughts compared to Twitter's 280.
No Direct Messaging: Unlike Twitter, Threads doesn’t have a direct messaging feature, making it more like a public forum than a messaging platform.
More Video Time: You can post videos up to 5 minutes in length—much longer than Twitter's standard video limit.

Cool Things You Can Do on Threads

Join Conversations Easily: Threads offers a familiar interface if you’re used to Instagram. You can reply, repost, or quote other people's threads with just a tap.
Polls and GIFs: Adding to the fun, Threads allows you to create polls and add GIFs to your posts, making conversations more interactive.
Fediverse Integration: Meta is working on making Threads compatible with the fediverse through the ActivityPub protocol. This means you may soon be able to connect with people on other decentralized platforms, like Mastodon.

How to Use Threads for Your Business

Threads is more than just a social app for fun. It’s a platform that’s ripe for engagement and community building, which is perfect for businesses.

Community Engagement: Use Threads to build an engaged audience by sharing updates, asking questions, or starting discussions.
Cross-Promotion: Boost your reach by cross-posting between Instagram and Threads. For instance, you could share a promotional video on Instagram Stories and add context or conversation on Threads.
Humanize Your Brand: Threads offers a more casual, conversation-oriented platform. Use it to connect on a personal level, sharing behind-the-scenes moments, quick thoughts, or spontaneous updates.

What's Coming Next for Threads?

Threads is still growing, and Meta has announced plans to add more features. Upcoming updates include improved content recommendations, a robust search function, and better integration with ActivityPub, which will make it interoperable with other social networks. It’s all part of Meta’s vision to shape the future of open social networks.

For a deeper dive into what's coming, read Meta's official blog update.

Don't forget, if you're looking for an easy way to manage your posts on Threads, consider using Planly to schedule your Threads posts and keep your content organized.

Let us know—how do you plan to use Threads for yourself or your brand?