Threads, Meta’s shiny new social media toy (launched in 2023), strutted onto the scene as the cool alternative to Twitter – sorry, X (yes, we’re still getting used to that rebrand too). Since then, many creatives and cultural organisations have been standing at the sidelines, popcorn in hand, watching to see if Threads would thrive or vanish faster than a trending meme.
Well, surprise – it’s still here! Threads blew out its first birthday candles in July 2024, and we figured it’s the perfect time to take a scroll down memory lane. Let’s explore some of the app’s standout features and help you decide whether Threads could be your next secret weapon for growing your social media audience.
What is Threads? (And Why Is Everyone Talking About It?)
Threads is Meta’s answer to the “what do we do now that Twitter is X?” question. Launched in July 2023, it burst onto the social media scene faster than your aunt sharing a blurry vacation photo- racking up over 100 million users in just five days. Not bad for a baby app, right?
Of course, after the initial buzz, some users ghosted harder than a bad Tinder date. But Threads wasn’t down for long – by August 2024, it was flexing with over 200 million monthly active users. Not too shabby for the new kid on the block.
So, what can you actually do on Threads? You can post up to 500 characters of text (perfect for hot takes and witty one-liners), add links, and share up to 10 photos or videos per post. Think of it as Instagram’s chattier, slightly less filtered cousin.
The app works on Android, iOS, and desktop – so whether you’re team touchscreen or team keyboard warrior, Threads has you covered.
Here’s the fine print:
Threads is tightly linked to Instagram, Meta’s image-loving powerhouse. You need an Instagram account to join Threads. At launch, deleting your Threads account also meant saying goodbye to Instagram – which felt a bit like tossing out the whole cake because of one burnt slice. Thankfully, Meta saw reason: now you can delete Threads without wiping out your Insta life. But be warned: the reverse isn’t true – ditch Instagram, and Threads goes with it.
Who’s Hanging Out on Threads?
If you want to join Threads, you’ll need an Instagram account—which means most Threads users are already fluent in the art of hashtags, filters, and knowing their best selfie angle. Think of Threads as Instagram’s more talkative sibling who prefers witty banter over sunset photos.
Demographically speaking, Threads is definitely on the younger side. Over a third of its users (36.39%) are in the 25–34 age group, followed by the 18–24 crowd at 19.29%.
So if your audience is still young enough to explain TikTok trends without rolling their eyes, this might be your crowd.
And here’s an eyebrow-raiser: about 68% of Threads users are male—eerily similar to the audience breakdown on X (formerly Twitter, in case you’ve been living under a Wi-Fi-less rock).
So if you’re looking to grow your younger male audience, Threads might just be the digital watering hole you’ve been searching for. (Source)
Now, part of Threads’ initial glow-up came from the chaos that was X in 2023. Threads waltzed in with the promise of a kinder, gentler social media experience—less drama, more good vibes. No trolls, no toxic rants, and no angry strangers in your mentions (fingers crossed).
Whether Threads fully delivers on its “safe space” promise is still up for debate, but one thing they did get right is letting you filter the nonsense. Just head to your account Settings, tap on “Privacy,” then “Hidden Words,” and poof—certain words or phrases can disappear from your feed like your motivation on a Monday morning.
10 Things You Should Know About How Threads Actually Works (So You Don’t Look Confused)
1. Your Identity Comes Pre-Packaged
When you join Threads, your Instagram profile picture, name, and @handle come along for the ride like clingy little siblings. You can change your profile pic, but your name and handle are locked in with your Insta identity—no secret alter egos here.
2. Start with a Crowd (Not a Crickets Chirp)
Good news: Threads lets you auto-follow everyone you already follow on Instagram. So instead of starting from digital scratch, your audience gets a bit of a jumpstart. Think of it as bringing your party guests from one room to another.
3. Scheduling? Yes, Please!
In June 2024, Threads opened the door to its API (that’s geek-speak for “you can plug stuff into it now”), so social media tools like Buffer and Hootsuite can finally schedule posts. And as of August 2024, Meta announced it’s testing in-app scheduling too. Set it and forget it, baby.
4. Get Those Juicy Insights
Hit 100 followers, and boom—you unlock analytics (on desktop only for now). You’ll get a peek into who’s liking, lurking, and maybe loving your content thanks to the “Insights” feature. It’s like social media night vision.
5. No Ads… Yet
Enjoy the ad-free life while it lasts. There’s no advertising on Threads at the moment, but Meta is definitely eyeing it. They’ve hinted at monetization plans, but are keeping the timeline as vague as a celebrity breakup statement.
6. No DMs Here (But Instagram’s Got Your Back)
Threads doesn’t have its own messaging system—because why reinvent the wheel? If you DM someone from Threads, it lands in their Instagram inbox. One ecosystem to rule them all.
7. Cross-Posting Is a Breeze
Want to share your Insta masterpiece or Facebook musings on Threads? Go for it. Cross-posting is supported, making your content work overtime across Meta’s empire.
8. Hashtags, But Make It Quirky
Threads hashtags are a bit… different. You can only use one per post (no hashtag soup here), and it acts more like a community tag than a search tool. Bonus: you can use spaces and punctuation—finally, grammar nerds get their moment.
9. You Can Edit Posts (Take That, Twitter)
Threads heard your cries (and Twitter’s endless debates) and added an edit button early on. So go ahead, fix that typo before it haunts you forever.
10. Trending Topics… But Not for Everyone (Yet)
Threads introduced trending topics in the U.S. earlier in 2024, but UK users are still waiting patiently. It’s like the royal mail of features—slow, but hopefully on its way.
Should Creative and Cultural Organisations Join Threads?
Thinking about hopping on Threads to grow your audience? Here’s the quick-and-dirty lowdown:
1. Got the time?
Threads isn’t a “post and vanish” kind of place. It’s all about starting conversations. So if you’re already stretched thin across other platforms, ask yourself—can you cut something else to make room? If not, maybe sit this one out (for now).
2. Is your audience here?
Threads skews younger (18–34) and male. If your ideal followers are more community-centre than Gen Z coder, you might be better off investing in Facebook or another platform.
But if you do have the bandwidth—and your crowd’s already Instagram-active—Threads could be a great extension. It links to Instagram, lets you share behind-the-scenes insights, and now has features like analytics, post scheduling, and a “Following” feed (finally!).
It’s still early days for Threads, but if it fits your goals and your audience, it’s worth a shot.
Still on the Fence About Threads? Ask Yourself These Soul-Searching Questions (With Slightly Less Existential Dread)
1. Who’s already hanging out there?
Are your fellow creatives, dream collaborators, or that cool artsy org you’ve been side-eyeing already on Threads? Time to do a little harmless stalking—uh, research. Have a scroll and see who’s active. It might just be the quieter, less chaotic corner of social media where real conversations and connections can actually happen (imagine that!).
2. What’s your game plan?
Are you here to make noise? Sell tickets? Get newsletter signups? Build your brand cult (the friendly kind)? Knowing your goals will help you decide if Threads is your digital playground or just another distraction. It’s a great space for storytelling and chit-chat—less “buy now,” more “let me tell you the story behind this weird art installation.”
3. Want to test out a new personality?
No, not like witness protection—more like brand reinvention. Threads can be your experimental stage. Maybe your Instagram is all polished and professional, but Threads? That’s where your brand lets its hair down. Think of it as your alter ego—like Batman, but with community engagement goals. Even big names like RSPB have gone off-script on newer platforms—and it’s worked.
In Summary
Gone are the days when everyone just hung out on Facebook, Instagram, and the occasional forgotten Pinterest board. In 2025, social media is like a buffet with way too many options—delicious, but overwhelming.
And unless you’ve got a 20-person content team and a bottomless coffee supply, trying to be everywhere at once is a fast track to burnout and minimal ROI.
That’s why the pros (ahem, Godwin Digital Solutions – The Best Social Media Marketing Agency in Kolkata) recommend choosing platforms that actually make sense for you—your brand, your audience, and your team’s sanity.
Now, Threads may still be the new kid on the social block, but it’s no longer just a passing trend. It’s earned its spot on the platform podium—especially if you’re into text-based storytelling, snappy updates, and want an alternative to the chaos that is X (formerly Twitter, currently a mystery).
Whether Threads becomes the next social media powerhouse or a lovable sidekick, it’s definitely worth experimenting with—especially if you’re looking to flex your voice, test new content, or give your brand a fresh spin.
Still unsure if Threads is your thing? Don’t worry—we’ve got you. Just holler at Godwin Digital Solutions, and our social media wizards will help you make sense of the chaos, optimize your presence, and maybe even make you enjoy social media again.
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