Threads launches its custom feeds tool after a brief testing phase
Short summary:
Threads has just launched its custom feeds feature, directly competing with Bluesky and offering new ways for users to engage with topic-based content. Here’s what it means for the app and how it stacks up against its competitors.
The competition to attract users fleeing X continues as Meta’s Threads introduces custom feeds, a feature long associated with rival Bluesky. Threads users can now pin topic-based feeds to their home screens, offering a more tailored browsing experience beyond the default algorithmic feed. This feature, which allows up to 128 custom feeds, is simple to set up by searching for keywords and adjusting preferences, such as adding specific profiles. While Bluesky also supports custom feeds, Threads’ streamlined process gives it an edge, allowing users to create feeds in seconds.
Threads’ rapid growth highlights its dominance over Bluesky, with 275 million users compared to Bluesky’s 20 million. Meta’s platform continues to expand at a rate of approximately one million new users daily, according to Instagram chief Adam Mosseri. By rolling out features like custom feeds, Threads positions itself as a more dynamic alternative to X, countering criticisms of its algorithmic feed's susceptibility to engagement manipulation.
The broader implications suggest a reshaping of the social media landscape as platforms vie for disenchanted X users. Threads’ ability to iterate quickly and leverage Meta’s vast resources underscores its potential to outpace smaller competitors like Bluesky, solidifying its role as a key player in the evolving digital space.