Meta’s latest app, Threads, has experienced a surge in users, surpassing any other social media platform in recent history. Within its first few days, Threads collected over 100 million users, setting a new record, according to data from Quiver Quantitative. The app, often compared to Twitter, witnessed 2 million downloads within two hours of its launch, and by the morning of the third day, sign-ups had already surpassed 70 million.
The success of Threads has drawn attention from industry players, including Twitter and its owner, Elon Musk. Musk took to Twitter to criticize the app, prompting Twitter’s legal team to threaten legal action against Meta, alleging “unlawful misappropriation” of trade secrets. Despite the controversy, Threads continues to gain traction among users.
Sensor Tower and data.ai reported that Threads had the highest number of downloads for a non-game app on its launch day in the past decade. While it ranked second in terms of growth speed, behind Nintendo’s Mario Kart Tour, Threads outpaced popular apps like Pokemon GO and Call of Duty Mobile. CEO Mark Zuckerberg revealed that the app reached 30 million users in less than 24 hours, exceeding the growth rates of Instagram and TikTok.
One key factor contributing to Threads’ appeal is its seamless integration with existing Instagram accounts, allowing users to transfer their followers easily. The app also granted early access to influential individuals and brands, such as Bill Gates, Shakira, Oprah Winfrey, and Netflix, to populate the platform before its official launch.
Despite its initial success, Threads still faces criticism over privacy policy. The app lacks certain features like a search function, hashtags, and a following feed. Meta has acknowledged user concerns and is working on addressing them. Additionally, regulatory concerns may impede Threads’ rollout in European Union countries, which account for a significant portion of Meta’s advertising revenue.
Threads’ emergence as a formidable competitor has drawn attention to Twitter’s shortcomings, with Meta’s CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, highlighting the importance of kindness on social media. However, Twitter’s legal team expressed concerns about Meta’s alleged misappropriation of trade secrets and intellectual property. Elon Musk also criticized Threads, raising concerns about its closed-source, algorithm-based system.
As Meta celebrates Threads’ early success, the company aims to distance itself from past controversies and focus on creating a unique and positive user experience. With its rapid growth and industry disruption, Threads marks the beginning of a new chapter for Meta, leaving users and industry observers eager to see how it will evolve in the long run.
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Gangtokian Web Team, 14/07/23