With Twitter going down like a sinking ship, many social media users are looking for an alternative to the popular app. But those turning to Threads may want to look elsewhere.
Facebook and Instagram's parent company Meta announced months ago that they had been working on an alternative to Twitter, revealing the news almost directly after Elon Musk was announced as the platform's new owner. Under Musk's rule, hate speech and misinformation have run rampant on the app, with many users seeking to jump ship.
Meta launched their version of Twitter on Wednesday. The new app, "Threads," reportedly received over 30 million downloads in just its first 24 hours.
While it doesn't have the same content moderation problems as Musk's Twitter — and users aren't charged monthly fees in order to view posts — there are still a few reasons that those looking to leave Twitter may want to continue their search.
1. You can't delete your account
One of the biggest flaws with the platform, which users have been quick to call attention to online, is the inability to delete your Threads account. While it is technically possible to do so, it cannot be done without also deleting your existing Instagram account.
But wait, can't you just not connect your Instagram account to your Threads profile? Nope. As of right now, only Instagram users are permitted to sign up for the app, making it feel more like a hostage situation than a social media platform.
2. There's no chronological dashboard
As of now, there is no option to set your dashboard to see posts in a chronological order. Sure, you can follow accounts and see what they post — you'll just also be bombarded with posts from other users based on what the algorithm determines for you.
You'll also see ads. Lots of ads. So many ads, you'll wonder if not having the chronological option is just a way for the platform to show you as many ads as possible while you continuously scroll.
(It is.)
3. No nudity allowed
This may have been a given, as Instagram and Facebook also prohibit sexually explicit content, but make no mistake that Threads is no exception. In fact, typically anything seen as sexually explicit is removed. This moderation is also usually not done by a person, but rather an algorithm, meaning even harmless content can be flagged.
The decision to ban sexually explicit content infamously tanked Tumblr's value, and has disproportionately impacted LGBTQ+ people, whose content is often wrongly flagged as explicit simply for being queer.
4. Everyone wants to sell you something
While the app saw a huge influx of users in its first couple of days, the majority of the large accounts active there are corporations, brands, or influencers. Despite marketing the platform as a community forum, it is incredibly difficult to have conversations with friends and other users. But hey, you've got the algorithm.
5. The interface is, honestly, ugly as sin
Part of what makes communication difficult is the fact that the entire platform runs like the Instagram comments section, but blown up in size to mimic tweets and their replies.
Apart from the design somehow being both overcrowded and underwhelming, the features of the website seem to combine the worst parts of Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter alike to create a forum that may just be the first liminal space to exist online.
But hey, at least Musk isn't involved with platform. Though right now, that seems to be the only selling point of Threads.
