It has been a little over 10 months since the release of Threads, Meta’s answer to “X” (formerly Twitter). I thought it might be a good time to check in with how things are going at the text-based app, intended to become the premiere “X” replacement. The company seems to know it has a long way to go before it can fully compete, but they are making strides. Plus, I sat in on a webinar this week about some best practices for building a community on Threads, so read on for more.

Positive Vibes

New features on Threads now include some privacy settings, which allow users to decide who can “quote” your posts as well as a new “Trending Topics” section, mirroring X’s similar “What’s Happening” section that shows the most popular things users are posting about. With the new “quote” feature, Threads is letting users restrict other users from quoting their posts, with or without adding their own thoughts.

Now, users have the option of restricting all users from quoting their posts. Or, they can allow only those they follow to quote their posts. Site managers say this is in an attempt to keep Threads a “positive” place and to allow users to have more control over their experiences with the app.

Unique Features

Sprout Social recently shared these Threads features that would-be adopters may be interested in knowing:

• Short but not too short copy allows for a 500-character limit for text. The limit on X is 280.
• Video posts can be up to five minutes long. X only allows for # minutes.
• Quick follow, which allows users to follow accounts they see in their feed without navigating to their profile. Users can simply tap the plus icon in the corner of the other user’s profile picture.
• Reply controls allow users to tighten the reins on who can engage with a specific post. Users can choose between the following audiences: Anyone, Profiles you follow and Mentioned only.
• Users can mute profiles by tapping the three dot menu on a post from the Threads account they’d like to mute.
• Tapping the Share button allows users to share Threads to their Instagram Story or grid.

Future plans are said to include direct messaging and expanded search abilities. Currently, you can DM a thread to someone’s Instagram account, but not to their Threads account, which is nice, but less direct than it could be.

Best Practices

Now for some best practices, thanks to a Hootsuite-hosted webinar I participated in this week. The hosts of the session gave the following advice, some of which may sound familiar from your experience with other sites, but some that is Threads-specific:

• Threads is meant for timely, original thoughts like X, including memes and hot takes.
• Focus on the content you would like to showcase as a brand and try to create content that will spark positive conversations.
• Reply to Threads that resonate with you and expand your reach.
• Creators and brands are using Threads to play games, like riddles or hiding SWAG bags in real life in a location and posting clues on Threads.
• Keep things fresh. For example, the Barbie memes were big on Threads last summer and could apply to almost any company or industry. They were top of mind for audiences.
• And finally, because Threads is newer, it is a lower-pressure environment. Try stuff out. Don’t be afraid to jump into the conversation and give your comment a spin that is specific to your industry.

For more serious brands and industries, try knowledge sharing, such as giving the latest updates, trends and your own expertise with the Threads community. That is what FGIA has been focusing on over on our Threads account!