Instagram recently announced and launched their brand new social media platform, Threads. This platform has been created as a direct rival to Twitter. It has seen over 100m sign ups since it was launched on 5th July 2023, which makes it the fastest growing app ever.

As a business, you may be wondering whether you should be using Threads alongside other social media platforms, how it works and if it’s worth spending time on the platform. In this blog, we’ll cover everything you need to know about the latest social network and how your business can leverage this platform to gain an engaged following.

What is the Threads app?

Threads is a standalone, free to download app developed by Meta’s Instagram team, designed specifically for conversations. It allows you to stay connected with your following, ensuring a more intimate and private social media experience. With Threads, you can easily share photos, videos, messages, and even your status with your inner circle.

How do I sign up to Threads?

To sign up for the Instagram Threads app, follow these simple steps.

Download and install the app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
Once installed, open the app and click on the “Get Started” button. You will be prompted to log in with your existing Instagram account or create a new one. If you already have an Instagram account, enter your Instagram username and password. If you don’t have an account, click on the “Sign Up” button and follow the instructions to create a new Instagram account.
After logging in, you will be asked to grant permissions for the Threads app to access your camera, microphone, and location if you wish to use those features.
Customise your Threads experience by selecting your desired notification settings and privacy preferences.

Please note, if you create a Threads account through your Instagram account, you won’t be able to delete your Threads account as this will also delete your Instagram. Simply deactivate Threads if you don’t want to keep using it.

How does Threads work?

The app provides various features such as photo and video sharing, text messaging, and status updates. It also enables users to share their current location, music, and even battery status with their selected contacts.

Businesses can use Instagram Threads to strengthen relationships with their loyal customers and create a more personalised approach. By using this app, businesses can send exclusive updates, sneak peeks of upcoming products, and even conduct private focus groups or surveys to gather valuable feedback.

Additionally, Threads allows businesses to have more direct and personalised communication with their customers, fostering a sense of exclusivity and loyalty.

What features does Threads offer?

An exciting feature of Threads is the integration with Instagram’s Close Friends list. If you have already curated a list of close friends on Instagram, you can seamlessly import this list to Threads and continue sharing moments exclusively with them. Businesses can use this feature to create exclusive groups of loyal customers or brand advocates. By including these individuals in a close friend list, businesses can provide them with special updates, promotions, and behind-the-scenes content.

Threads also offers an innovative feature called “Auto Status.” This feature allows you to share your current status automatically with your chosen friends. For example, if you’re at a concert or exploring a new city, Threads can update your status to let your friends know what you’re up to without you having to manually update it. This can benefit businesses by allowing them to provide real-time updates on their activities, events, or new product launches. By leveraging this feature, businesses can keep their close friends informed and engaged, reinforcing their brand presence and building excitement around their offerings.

Instagram Threads seamlessly integrates with Instagram Stories. This integration allows businesses to cross-post their Stories to Threads, ensuring that their close friends receive the content directly. This feature is beneficial as it helps businesses reach a more targeted audience, ensuring that their updates are seen by their most engaged followers. It also allows businesses to curate exclusive Stories content specifically for their close friends, further strengthening the relationship with this valuable group.

Is Threads secure?

For those concerned about privacy, Threads has robust privacy settings. You can easily control who can see your updates, and even customise your settings for each individual friend or group. This ensures that you maintain complete control over your social media presence and only share what you’re comfortable with.

How does Threads compare to Twitter?

Both Twitter and Threads have noticeably similar interfaces, with options to make posts, comment on posts, like posts and repost or quote posts. They differ slightly in that a Threads post can be up to 500 characters long; for Twitter it’s only 280 characters.

While Instagram Threads and Twitter are both popular social media platforms, they serve different purposes. While Twitter is primarily a public forum for sharing thoughts, news, and opinions with a wider audience, Threads is designed for more personal and private conversations with a select group of friends.

Threads doesn’t currently use hashtags or support keyword searches or trends. This means a completely different marketing strategy would be needed for this platform vs Twitter.

Should my business be using Threads?

Businesses should definitely consider using Threads as it offers numerous benefits.

As the app is brand new, it’s benefitting from a surge of active users. This gives you a large and engaged audience that can help expand your business’s reach.
Threads allows businesses to connect and engage with their audience on a more personal level. The app enables businesses to share behind-the-scenes content, sneak peeks, and exclusive updates, fostering a sense of exclusivity and loyalty among followers.
Threads offers more intimate conversations through its close friends feature, allowing businesses to have direct and meaningful interactions with their customers.
The app provides advanced privacy controls, giving businesses the ability to control who sees their content. This ensures that businesses can target their messaging to specific demographics or customer segments, leading to more effective and tailored marketing strategies.

However, if you don’t have the time to dedicate to the platform and think there are other platforms that better suit your brand, don’t just join the app for the sake of it. Without a proper strategy, you’ll find you’re wasting your time and energy on a platform that isn’t giving you the results you need.

Make the most of social media

If your business is struggling to utilise social media platforms effectively and you aren’t seeing the desired results, get in touch with our digital marketing team today. No matter what platform your business is on, we can help to optimise your profile and create a strategy that will see you getting results.

Contact our team today for a quick chat about your requirements.