Meta's Threads Ramps Up Features Amidst Competition with Bluesky
- 28/11/2024 05:25 AM
- Kevin
As the social networking space intensifies with the rise of Bluesky and a shifting user base from X (formerly Twitter), Meta's Threads is doubling down on innovation to stay ahead. Recently, Adam Mosseri, Instagram's head, unveiled a series of updates aimed at enhancing the platform’s user experience and bolstering its competitive edge.
Key Updates to Threads
AI-Powered Summaries for Trending Topics
Threads is introducing AI-generated summaries in its "Trending Now" section for U.S. users. This feature aims to quickly inform users about what’s being discussed across the platform, a move akin to X’s Stories feature, which uses Elon Musk’s AI chatbot Grok for trending topic summaries.
- The summaries will leverage AI to present concise and engaging overviews of ongoing conversations.
- This addition aligns Threads with competitors like Bluesky and X in terms of utilizing AI to enhance content discovery.
Enhanced Trending Topics and Search Features
In addition to AI summaries, Threads is testing:
- Expanded Trending Topics: Providing a broader range of conversations for users to explore.
- Date-Range Search: Enabling users to refine searches to a specific time frame.
- Account-Specific Search: Allowing targeted searches for posts from individual accounts.
Mosseri acknowledged these updates as “long-overdue improvements” that make Threads’ trending and search functionalities more robust.
Custom Feeds and Algorithm Tweaks
Threads has also introduced custom feeds, empowering users to curate content around specific topics or user profiles. This feature directly competes with Bluesky’s tools that allow users to create personalized algorithms, lists, and feeds.
In response to user feedback, Threads has rolled out algorithm adjustments to:
- Prioritize content from followed accounts in users’ feeds.
- Balance curated recommendations with posts from mutual connections.
The Race Against Bluesky and X
Threads vs. Bluesky
While Threads boasts a larger user base of over 275 million monthly active users, Bluesky is rapidly gaining traction, now surpassing 20 million users.
- Bluesky’s growth has accelerated post-U.S. presidential election, capitalizing on X's perceived right-wing leanings and Elon Musk’s controversial involvement in political discourse.
- Market intelligence firm Similarweb suggests that if Bluesky maintains its current growth rate, it could eventually match Threads in terms of daily active users.
Threads’ Competitive Edge
Despite Bluesky’s momentum, Threads continues to leverage its strong connection to Instagram’s ecosystem, offering seamless integration for users. The introduction of new features like AI-powered summaries, custom feeds, and enhanced search tools aims to solidify Threads as a versatile alternative to Bluesky and X.
Meta’s Vision for Threads
Meta is moving quickly to address user concerns and capitalize on the shifting dynamics in the social media landscape. By embracing feedback, introducing innovative features, and refining its algorithm, Threads is positioning itself as a forward-thinking platform that prioritizes user engagement and accessibility.
As competition in the social media space heats up, the race between Threads, Bluesky, and X is far from over. Meta’s willingness to adapt and evolve will be crucial in determining whether Threads can sustain its dominance or face a challenge from rising platforms like Bluesky.
