Meta’s Threads App Introduces New Instagram-Like Features

Meta’s Threads app is getting some new Instagram-like features, according to Instagram head Adam Mosseri. The app is adding a dedicated media tab, which highlights users’ posts with photos and videos, as well as photo tagging abilities.

Media Tab Feature

Mosseri stated that the media tab feature is “a long overdue request from the community.” Both X and Bluesky have a “media” section in users’ profiles (Bluesky also recently added a separate tab). Threads’ photo tagging feature, on the other hand, will look familiar to most Instagram users. When sharing a photo in a post, you can search for other users’ handles to tag. Those tags will then be visible to others.

Global Availability of Markup Tool

Mosseri also said that Threads’ markup tool, which was introduced last week, will now be available to all the app’s users globally. That feature allows users to doodle on top of other people’s posts.

Rapid Updates for Threads

Meta has significantly ramped up the pace of updates for Threads in recent months as the app has faced increased competition from Bluesky. That included adopting Bluesky’s starter packs and a custom feeds tool. So far, though, Meta’s strategy seems to be working. Threads has now grown to 320 million monthly users, 100 million of whom return daily, according to Mosseri. The company also recently began to test its ads on the service.

Key Features and Updates

• Dedicated media tab highlighting users’ posts with photos and videos
• Photo tagging abilities, allowing users to tag other users in posts
• Global availability of markup tool, allowing users to doodle on top of other people’s posts
• Adoption of Bluesky’s starter packs and custom feeds tool
• Growth to 320 million monthly users, 100 million of whom return daily
• Testing of ads on the service