Meta’s Threads Update

Meta’s Threads has finally introduced the long-awaited feature of allowing users to change their default feed in the app. This update addresses a major point of frustration for users, who can now set the "following" feed or a custom feed as their default view instead of the algorithmic "for you" feed.

A Long-Awaited Change

Mark Zuckerberg initially announced that Meta would be testing this feature, but there was little news on the matter until now. The change is expected to help address criticism that Threads is not as useful for following real-time events, as the "for you" feed often prioritizes older posts with many replies over newer posts from followed accounts.

Competition in the Market

This update comes as Meta tries to attract more users from competitors like X and Bluesky, which saw a significant surge in new users last year. Currently, Threads has 320 million monthly active users, while Bluesky has approximately 33 million. The new feature, along with other upgrades to the service, may help Meta stay competitive in the market.

Additional Upgrades

Some of the other upgrades to the service include a setting that allows users to limit quotes and replies to followers only, addressing complaints about unnecessary interactions. The app is also becoming more prominent in making topics, which are similar to hashtags, more visible in various parts of the app.

Topics in Threads

As Threads continues to evolve, the app is making it easier for users to discover and interact with topics. When drafting a new post, users can now browse topics, including trending ones. The service will also highlight trending topics alongside relevant feed posts. Furthermore, Meta is testing the ability to add topics to Threads profiles, similar to how hashtags can be added to Instagram profiles. According to Meta, using topics can help users increase their reach, as internal data suggests that posts with tagged topics generally receive more views than those without.

Algorithm and User Experience

The update may also be helpful for creators trying to understand the sometimes confusing algorithm used by Threads. By providing more insight into how the app works, Meta aims to improve the overall user experience and make the platform more appealing to both users and creators.