Instagram Threads: What It Is and How It All Works

Did you also spot that new, Instagram Threads icon in your Instagram app’s Settings?

We did and we had to find out what’s going on.

Here are the results!

Photo by Alexander Shatov on Unsplash

What is Instagram Threads?

It is a standalone app that works with your Instagram account. You can use it to message your close friends list, which is a select group of people you choose to share more personal moments with. You can create or edit your close friends list from Threads or Instagram.

Threads has a dedicated inbox and notifications for your close friends, so you can easily stay in touch with them throughout the day. You can also see their status, which is a small bit of context on what they are doing or feeling without revealing their location.

Threads is a camera-first app, which means it opens directly to the camera and allows you to add shortcuts for your favorite contacts. You can share photos and videos in just two taps, or use text if you prefer. You can also customize the look and feel of the app with different themes and emoji reactions.

What is the difference between Instagram and Threads?

Instagram and Threads are both apps from Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp. They are both connected to your Instagram account, but they have different features and purposes.

Some of the main differences between Instagram and Threads are:

• Instagram only lets you post photos, videos, stories, and reels, while Threads allows you to post text and media.
• Instagram doesn’t allow you to repost someone else’s post, while Threads has a Repost button similar to the Retweet feature on Twitter.
• Threads profile looks very much like an Instagram profile, except that instead of pictures being shown in grids, posts are shown like tweets.
• There is no panel under the Threads profile that shows the user’s liked posts, and posts that have media included.
• Users could also easily switch to Instagram through their Threads profile.
• Instagram has more features for creating ads, analytics, or business profiles, while Threads is more focused on sharing ideas and trends with text.
• Instagram has features for creating stories and reels, which are time-limited or short-form video content, while Threads does not.

Photo by Souvik Banerjee on Unsplash

Why use Threads?

Threads is a great way to keep up with your close friends in a more intimate and authentic way. Unlike other social media platforms, Threads is not about likes, comments, or followers. It is about sharing your everyday moments and feelings with the people who care about you.

Threads also gives you more control over your privacy and data. You can choose who can reach you on Threads, and you can opt-in or out of status and auto-status features. Also, you can delete any message or story you send or receive.

How to use Threads?

To use Threads, you need to download the app from the App Store or Google Play Store and log in with your Instagram account. If you don’t have a close friends list yet, you can make one from Threads or Instagram.

Once you have set up your close friends list, you can start using Threads to message them. You can either use the camera to take a photo or video, or use the keyboard to type a text message. You can also add stickers, filters, captions, and drawings to your messages.

To see your messages, swipe left from the camera screen. You will see a list of your close friends and their status. You can tap on any contact to open a chat thread with them. Also, you can swipe right from the camera screen to access your settings and customize your app.

To share a story with your close friends, tap on the story icon at the top left of the camera screen. You can either take a new photo or video, or choose one from your gallery. You can also add stickers, filters, captions, and drawings to your stories.

To see stories from your close friends, tap on the story icon at the top right of the camera screen. You will see a carousel of stories from your close friends. You can tap on any story to watch it full-screen. Also, you can react to stories with emoji.

Photo by Dave Adamson on Unsplash

What are some tips and tricks for using Threads?

Here are some tips and tricks for using Instagram Threads:

• To quickly reply to a message, swipe right on it and choose an emoji reaction.
• To mute notifications from a contact, tap and hold on their name in the inbox and toggle off notifications.
• To change the theme of the app, go to settings and choose from different colors and patterns.
• To change the emoji reaction for a contact, tap and hold on their name in the inbox and choose an emoji.
• To create a group chat with your close friends, tap on the compose icon at the top right of the inbox and select multiple contacts.
• To delete a message or story you sent or received, tap and hold on it and choose delete. Note that deleting a message on Threads will only remove it from your chat thread, not from the other person’s chat thread. If you want to delete a message for everyone, you need to do it within 10 minutes of sending it.

Can I use Threads for business purposes?

Threads is not intended for business purposes. According to Meta, the parent company of Instagram, Threads is a place for sharing ideas and trends with text, not for promoting products or services. It does not have any features for creating ads, analytics, or business profiles.

If you want to use Instagram for business purposes, you should use the main Instagram app instead. There, you can create a business account, run ads, access insights, and reach more customers. You can also use Instagram Direct to message your customers or potential customers.

Photo by Mohamed Nohassi on Unsplash

Instagram Threads FAQ

Here are some frequently asked questions about Instagram Threads:

1. Q: Do I need an Instagram account to use Threads?
   A: Yes, you need an Instagram account to use Threads. You can log in with your existing Instagram account or create a new one from Threads.
2. Q: Can I use Threads without having a close friends list?
   A: No, you need to have a close friends list to use Threads. You can create or edit your close friends list from Threads or Instagram.
3. Q: Can I message people who are not on my close friends list?
   A: No, you can only message people who are on your close friends list on Threads. If you want to message someone who is not on your close friends list, you can use Instagram Direct instead.
4. Q: Can I use Threads on multiple devices?
   A: Yes, you can use Threads on multiple devices. However, you can only be logged in to one device at a time. If you log in to another device, you will be logged out from the previous one.
5. Q: Can I use Threads on a tablet or a computer?
   A: No, Threads is only available for mobile devices. You can use Threads on any iPhone or Android phone that supports Instagram.
6. Q: How can I report a problem or give feedback on Threads?
   A: You can report a problem or give feedback on Threads by going to settings and tapping on report a problem or send feedback.

Conclusion/Summary

Instagram Threads is a new app that lets you share text updates, photos, videos, and stories with your close friends list on Instagram. It is designed to be a fast, private, and fun way to communicate with the people who matter most to you.

If you want to try out Instagram Threads, you can download it from the App Store or Google Play Store and log in with your Instagram account.

Let us know your thoughts in the comments!

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