Meta's Threads gets new features as competition with Bluesky heats up, all we know
Nov 27, 2024, 10:35 IST
Meta’s Threads app is undergoing a significant transformation, adding features that enhance user control and overall experience. These updates come in response to growing competition from Bluesky, a decentralised platform that has seen a sharp rise in popularity, hitting 20 million users recently. Let us take a look at all we know about the updates so far.
Custom feeds and default options
Threads now lets users customise their feed, a move aimed at giving them more control over their browsing experience. Users in the test phase can pin multiple curated feeds to their homepage, choosing what appears when they open the app. These feeds can be built around specific topics or accounts, providing an alternative to the algorithm-driven recommendations.
Setting a default feed is straightforward: users simply tap and hold on a feed at the top of the homepage and reorder it, with the first slot becoming their default view. This update ensures a personalised experience and brings Threads closer in line with the flexibility offered by competitors like Bluesky.
Smarter algorithms and search updates
To improve relevance, Threads has refined its algorithm, prioritising posts from accounts users follow instead of bombarding them with suggestions. In addition, search functionality is being enhanced to include advanced filters, such as searching within a specific date range or posts from a single account—features long available on platforms like X.
Trending topics are also receiving an upgrade, with a new trending page in development that will feature AI-generated summaries of discussions. For now, this feature is being tested in the US.
Landscape video and other enhancements
Another user-centric update is the addition of landscape video playback. This long-awaited feature finally allows Threads users to enjoy videos in a widescreen format. Alongside this, the platform now lets users view replies while composing their own, making interactions smoother and more intuitive.
It is to be noted that while these updates are promising, many are still in the testing phase or limited to specific regions. Threads is expected to roll them out widely in future.
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Custom feeds and default options
Threads now lets users customise their feed, a move aimed at giving them more control over their browsing experience. Users in the test phase can pin multiple curated feeds to their homepage, choosing what appears when they open the app. These feeds can be built around specific topics or accounts, providing an alternative to the algorithm-driven recommendations.
Setting a default feed is straightforward: users simply tap and hold on a feed at the top of the homepage and reorder it, with the first slot becoming their default view. This update ensures a personalised experience and brings Threads closer in line with the flexibility offered by competitors like Bluesky.
Smarter algorithms and search updates
To improve relevance, Threads has refined its algorithm, prioritising posts from accounts users follow instead of bombarding them with suggestions. In addition, search functionality is being enhanced to include advanced filters, such as searching within a specific date range or posts from a single account—features long available on platforms like X.
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Landscape video and other enhancements
Another user-centric update is the addition of landscape video playback. This long-awaited feature finally allows Threads users to enjoy videos in a widescreen format. Alongside this, the platform now lets users view replies while composing their own, making interactions smoother and more intuitive.
It is to be noted that while these updates are promising, many are still in the testing phase or limited to specific regions. Threads is expected to roll them out widely in future.