You'll be excited that Threads is enhancing its user experience by adding more topical and trending engagement options. Despite its aim to keep the platform positive by avoiding divisive politics, these updates highlight Threads' shift towards a real-time, Twitter-like experience.
Trending topics and blue labels
Threads is introducing a new blue label above posts related to trending topics. This feature will make it easier for you to tap through and join the broader conversation. As Threads chief Adam Mosseri demonstrated, tapping on a linked topic takes you to a search listing for that term, which you can sort by “Recent” to see the latest updates. This simple addition lets you stay updated with real-time chatter and increases engagement within the app.
Post by @mosseriView on Threads
The “Recent” filter will complement this new feature, providing another way to stay connected with ongoing discussions. This might be more effective than Threads' current Trending Topics listing, which often misses significant discussion points, especially in the US. Threads' reluctance to engage with political content remains challenging for its real-time engagement focus.
Highlighting key discussions
Threads is testing a new “Now” alert for significant ongoing discussions to boost engagement. This feature will highlight key topics of the moment, encouraging more users to tap through and join the conversation. However, if significant news, such as Joe Biden stepping down from an election, breaks, Threads still prefers to steer clear of it.
Post by @lindseygamble_View on Threads
This aversion to politics presents a unique challenge for Threads, which many see as a Twitter alternative. Unlike Facebook and Instagram, where users often seek different content, Threads users come for real-time updates and significant news stories, including politics. Meta's strict definition of political content can sometimes lead to false positives, restricting engaging commentators and driving users back to platforms like X for the latest updates.
Balancing engagement with restrictions
Threads' political content restrictions significantly limit an app focused on real-time engagement. Despite these challenges, Meta is continually tweaking the platform to enhance the user experience. Discovery additions and a search filter option in testing suggest a gradual shift towards more open engagement.
Post by @alex193aView on Threads
The ability to search for posts by date could help you focus on specific discussions and trends, driving more engagement. However, the political limitations will remain challenging for Threads as it aims to represent the world's pulse in real-time.
Threads is still growing, with Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg announcing that the platform is nearing 200 million monthly users. Despite this growth, it's still less than half the size of X, and political restrictions may be a key reason why Threads remains a supplementary platform for many potential active users.
