Threads Unveils Long-Awaited Web Version, Aims to Compete with X
Exciting news for Threads users as the popular app announces the launch of its highly anticipated web version on Tuesday. This move comes as a response to the most fervently requested feature by users since Threads’ initial mobile-only release last month. With this update, Threads takes a significant step towards replicating the functionalities offered by its rival, X (formerly known as Twitter), potentially revitalizing user growth after a period of sluggishness.
Meta, the parent company of Threads, has revealed that users will soon have the ability to log in, post, view, and engage with other posts through a browser on desktop computers. The rollout of the web version is set to take place in the coming days, with Meta’s plans to introduce additional desktop features in the future. In a preliminary test of the web-based features, CNN was able to post content on the platform, though scrolling through the home feed remains unavailable for now.
Threads initially burst onto the scene in early July with remarkable success, amassing over 100 million sign-ups within its first week, in part due to the turmoil at Twitter in the preceding months. However, the initial buzz waned as users realized that Threads’ stripped-down platform lacked many of the features that had made Twitter popular, such as trending topics, robust search capabilities, and direct messaging. While Threads has been gradually introducing smaller updates, the introduction of the highly anticipated web version could rekindle greater user engagement.
The debut of the web version has the potential to pose new competitive challenges for X, especially following the recent controversy caused by its owner, Elon Musk, who hinted at the possibility of removing the platform’s block feature, resulting in backlash from users.
Meta employees have been teasing the development of a desktop version of Threads for weeks, indicating that internal testing was underway. Just last week, Adam Mosseri, the head of Instagram who also oversees Threads, shared that he had been utilizing the desktop version of the platform for posting and suggested that it would be ready soon with some remaining work.
The introduction of web access is part of a series of recent updates as Meta continues to enhance the Threads platform. Among the recent additions are new “reposts” and “likes” tabs that allow users to easily view the posts they’ve shared and liked on their profiles. Additionally, a chronological following feed and a feature enabling users to share Threads posts through Instagram DMs have been implemented.
To maintain the initial momentum it gained with users, Meta recognizes the importance of ongoing updates to Threads. Despite the app’s impressive success at launch, its daily active user count had plummeted by 82% to around 8 million users by the end of July, according to a report from market research firm Sensor Tower earlier this month. Nevertheless, updates introduced by mid-August have contributed to a modest increase, bringing the daily active user count to 11 million, as reported by Sensor Tower on Monday.
Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta, expressed his optimism about the potential of the app. He noted, “We saw unprecedented growth out of the gate, and more importantly, we’re seeing more people coming back daily than I’d expected.” Zuckerberg emphasized the company’s focus on retention and improving foundational elements, with plans to subsequently concentrate on expanding the community to the scale they envision.
