The early bird catches the thread!
The internet is going bonkers with this new Twitter vs Meta fiasco. Why? you ask because, Meta released their new social media app known as Threads on Wednesday, 5th July 2023. This application is linked with the existing Instagram app. With a whopping 100 million sign-ups in just 5 days – Threads is currently the topmost searched application on IOS and Google. Play Store but why is just another application making headlines since the day it launched?
The Rivalry
Since its launch, Twitter has not faced a rival and has been pretty much running without competition. But now with changing times, there’s a Twitter rival in the market, known as Meta Threads with the ability to reply, repost and quote in 500 characters Threads is giving Twitter some serious competition. Threads are strategically using its current Instagram audience to leverage itself in terms of gaining an audience and retaining users. All Threads accounts are linked with Instagram and are interconnected which means that you cannot delete your Threads account without deleting your Instagram.
In the past, we have seen interconnected applications from Meta mostly, like Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp and also Instagram with Instasize however none of the applications needed the deletion of another account to stay running. Although interrelated like other meta-applications advertising is not available on threads yet, however, there’s no saying how long threads will stay ad-free.
The Battle of Words:
Every war has one evil side and one good side, there’s no saying who’s good or bad in this war but there’s always banter from both sides. Being the outspoken Twitter owner that Elon Musk is he was able to gain attention through his tweets against Threads and Mark Zuckerberg.
In a recent tweet, Elon Musk stated that “Competition is fine, copying is not.” Indicating that Threads was a mere copy of Twitter. Since Elon Musk has taken over Twitter, ads on the platform have reached more than half a billion users with global reach increasing by 2%. Elon Musk also reportedly tweeted, “You will get more laughs from this app than everything else combined. But I have to warn you … don’t be shocked … there’s some negative stuff too” for Mark Zuckerberg.
Elon Musk has asked Mark Zuckerberg for a cage match in his latest tweets to which the founder of Facebook has shown equal enthusiasm and agreed, asking for the location. With this exchange, it seems like the banter is playful between Musk and Zuckerberg. However, Elon Musk has also threatened to sue Meta for copying and plagiarizing Twitter.
Mark Zuckerberg commented on the situation claiming that Twitter has not been able to develop as a public conversation application, he said, “There should be a public conversations app with one billion-plus people on it. Twitter has had the opportunity to do this but hasn’t nailed it. Hopefully, we will.”
The Implications:
The emergence of Threads as a viable rival to Twitter signifies a shifting landscape in the social media industry. Twitter, once unchallenged, must now reevaluate its strategies and innovate to maintain its market position. The competition between Threads and Twitter could ultimately benefit users, as both platforms strive to offer improved features, enhanced user experiences, and innovative solutions. This battle also highlights the significance of user loyalty and the challenge of migrating users from one platform to another, as evidenced by the interconnected nature of Threads and Instagram.
The clash between Threads and Twitter has set the stage for an intense battle for social media supremacy. Threads’ rapid rise to popularity, fueled by its integration with Instagram and its unique features, has put pressure on Twitter to adapt and differentiate itself. The war of words between industry giants, Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg, adds an extra layer of excitement to this ongoing saga. As users, we can anticipate exciting developments, enhanced features, and a more competitive social media landscape as Threads and Twitter vie for our attention and engagement. Only time will tell which platform will emerge as the ultimate victor in this battle for the future of social media.
The Future
According to Mark Zagorski, the CEO of Double Verify, a marketing data firm, advertisers who aim to reach a larger audience will benefit from utilizing both platforms. In an interview with CNBC, Zagorski emphasized that advertisers are constantly seeking new avenues to engage with potential consumers and expand their reach in innovative ways. He compared the advertising landscape in social media to that of television, pointing out the presence of both paid and free options, as well as the distinction between unregulated and moderated content. Similar to the varied choices available to advertisers and consumers in the television industry, social media advertising offers a diverse range of options to cater to individual needs and preferences.
Author Profile:
Katie has been affiliated with the tech industry for more than a decade. As an avid explorer of the latest digital trends and developments, she loves to share her insights with the world. Stay tuned to her blogs to demystify the wonders of technology.