How To Use the Instagram Threads App

Instagram Threads offers a fresh way to share your thoughts and ideas through text. The new app was created by Mark Zuckerberg and Adam Mosseri and his team at Meta and launched in July 2023..

Unlike its parent platform Instagram, which predominantly focuses on images and videos, Threads enables meaningful conversations. With the convenience of logging in using your Instagram credentials, you can dive into public discussions or initiate your own threads to voice your thoughts and receive reactions.

In this article, we’ll discuss what Threads is, how it works, and why this new app is emerging as a Twitter alternative. We’ll also offer tips and insights on how to make the most out of Threads.

Table of contents:

• What can you do with Threads?
• How to create an Instagram Threads account
• Navigating the Threads app
• How to post on Threads
• How to react to a thread
• How to mention someone
• How to follow or unfollow someone
• How to deactivate your Threads profile
• Threads FAQ
• Get in front of followers with Instagram Threads

What can you do with Threads?

The Threads app provides users with a platform to connect with their favorite creators and communities while sharing their thoughts and opinions through text.

Some key features of the Threads app include:

• Connecting with others. Users can easily follow accounts they already engage with on Instagram as well as new accounts  of people participating in threads or  by using the profile search function.
• Posting. Posting threads allows users to express themselves within a 500-character limit and the option to complement their text with photos or videos.
• Sharing website links. Users can share website links with their followers, complete with automatic previews of the website’s title, description, and image.
• Sharing Threads on Instagram. Users can cross-post their threads to Instagram as stories or posts.

However, the Threads app comes with some limitations, including:

• Inability to edit threads. Once a thread is posted, it can’t be edited. Users can only report it for violations of community guidelines, hide it from their profile, or delete it.
• Absence of hashtags. Threads doesn’t support the use of hashtags for organizing or searching based on keywords or topics. Users are limited to plain text and emojis in their threads.
• No direct messages. The app lacks direct messaging capabilities, restricting user communication to public replies within threads.
• No sponsored ads. Users won’t encounter sponsored ads on the app, potentially affecting revenue potential and growth for some businesses. However, this ad-free experience might be considered an advantage by some users.

How Threads can help businesses

Threads provides a unique opportunity for businesses to engage directly and authentically with their audiences, as well as harness the potential of influencer collaborations.

We explore some advantages for businesses using Threads.

• Build genuine connections. Threads lets businesses foster authentic connections by sharing their stories, values, and vision in a text-based format. They can interact with followers and other users by responding to threads, liking posts, sharing user-generated content, or mentioning others in their own threads.
• Foster engagement. Threads is all about conversations, so businesses can interact with their audiences in a more personal and authentic way, creating a sense of community around their brands. This engagement allowed companies to strengthen their relationships with existing customers and attract new ones.
• Provide real-time updates. Businesses can keep their audience in the loop by sharing real-time updates through threads that reflect their current mood, activities, or location.
• Get instant feedback. Threads allows businesses to gather feedback by posing questions, conducting polls, or seeking suggestions in their threads. They can also gauge thread performance by tracking views, likes, and replies.
• Leverage existing content. Businesses can add clickable links to their posts, which can drive traffic to their websites or other social media platforms, allowing them to use existing content and tailor it for Threads.

Another advantage for businesses on Threads lies in the potential for influencer partnerships. Influencers—individuals with substantial and dedicated social media followings—can impact their followers’ purchasing decisions.

Businesses can collaborate with influencers on Threads through:

• Accessing established audiences. Partnering with influencers allows businesses to tap into their existing follower bases. They can work together to create threads promoting the brand, products, or services. Businesses may also request that influencers mention them in their own threads or share their content.
• Maintaining organic and trustworthy appeal. Businesses can project a more organic and trustworthy image when working with influencers. Unlike some other social media platforms, Threads doesn’t feature sponsored ads, meaning any brand mentions or endorsements on the app aren’t paid for or endorsed by the platform. This adds authenticity and credibility in the eyes of users.

How to create an Instagram Threads account

To join Threads and create a profile, follow these steps:

1. Download the Threads app from the Apple App Store or Google Play store on your phone. iPhone and Android users can use this app.
2. Log in with your Instagram username or choose to sign in with another account.
3. Import from Instagram to create your profile or add your own profile picture and bio.
4. Choose your privacy settings, such as a public profile or a private profile, which can be changed later.
5. Start following accounts by instantly matching the accounts you follow on Instagram or manually choosing who to follow.

Navigating the Threads app

The Threads app has a user-friendly and straightforward interface, making it easy for users to craft and engage with text-based posts.

Located at the bottom of the app, five icons serve as your navigational aids:

• House. This icon leads you to your feed, offering a glimpse of posts from accounts you follow and content from other users.
• Magnifying glass. By tapping on this icon, you’ll be brought to a search hub. You can search for specific users by username or keyword.
• Pen and paper. The pen-and-paper icon allows you to create a new post, or thread. You can compose up to 500 characters of text and optionally add photos, videos, links, or carousels.
• Heart. This icon serves as your activity hub, offering insights into your account’s notifications. You can keep track of new followers, thread responses, mentions in posts, and identify verified users. Plus, it provides a quick view of thread viewers, as well as the tally of likes and replies received.
• Person. A click on this icon directs you to your profile page. You can review your threads, followers, and those you follow.

In essence, the Threads app is designed with user-friendliness in mind, ensuring seamless navigation and a straightforward approach to creating and engaging with text-based posts.

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How to post on Threads

Posting on Threads is quick and easy. You can do so on the mobile app and the desktop site.

Mobile

1. Tap on the pen and paper icon at the bottom to post.

2. Create your thread by typing what you want to say.

3. Tap on the attach button (paper clip)  if you want to add a photo, video, or GIF.

4. Tap on “Add” to add to your thread.

5. Tap “Post” in the bottom right.

Desktop

1. Click on “Start a Thread…” at the top, next to your profile image.

2. Create your thread by typing what you want to say.

3.To attach a photo, video, or GIF to your thread, click the paper clip icon to attach.

4. Click “Post” in the bottom right.

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How to react to a thread

When reacting to a thread, you can do so on both the mobile application and desktop site.

Mobile

1. Tap on the heart icon to like the thread.

2. Tap on the two arrows making a square icon to repost or quote a thread.

3. Tap on the thought bubble icon to comment on a thread.

Desktop

1. Click on the heart icon to like the thread.

2. Click on the two arrows making a square icon to repost or quote a thread.

3. Click on the thought bubble icon to comment on a thread.

How to mention someone

There are two ways to mention someone on Threads:

1. When you’re creating a new thread or replying to a thread, use the @ followed by the person’s username.  

2. Click Mention at the bottom of the profile of the user you want to mention.

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How to follow or unfollow someone

You have a few ways to follow or unfollow someone’s profile on Threads.

Follow:

• In the app, click on the plus icon on a person’s profile image and then confirm by clicking “Follow.”

• On the desktop, hover your mouse over their username and click “Follow.”

• For both mobile and desktop, click on the magnifying glass icon to search a username and then click “Follow.

Unfollow:

• For desktop, hover your mouse over someone’s username and then click Following.

• For both mobile and desktop, click the person at the top to go to your profile. Click “Followers” below your profile info and then click “Following” at the top right. Click “Following” for a user you want to unfollow.

• Click on the magnifying glass icon at the bottom. Search the username you want to unfollow. Click “Following” next to their name to unfollow them.

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How to deactivate your Threads profile

If you want to delete your Threads profile, you’ll also need to delete your Instagram account, at least as of right now. This is because Threads is linked to your Instagram account, and deleting one will delete the other.

If you only want to temporarily disable your Threads profile, you can do so by deactivating it. Deactivating your Threads profile will hide your threads and profile from other users, but you can reactivate it any time by logging back in, with your posts and interactions becoming visible again.

To deactivate your Threads profile, you’ll need to use the mobile app, as this option isn’t available on the desktop version yet.

1. Tap the human icon at the bottom of the app to go to your profile page.

2. Tap the two horizontal lines at the top right corner of the app to open Settings.

3. Tap “Account.”

4. Tap “Deactivate profile” and follow the instructions on the screen.

You can reactivate your Threads profile anytime by logging back in with your Instagram account credentials.

Threads FAQ

We offer some answers to frequently asked questions about Instagram Threads.

Can you use hashtags in Threads?

No, you can’t use hashtags as Threads doesn’t have this feature. You can only use plain text or emojis in your threads.

Can you edit Threads posts?

No, there’s no way to edit your posts on Threads once you’ve posted. You can only delete or hide a thread once you’ve posted it.

How does Threads integrate with Instagram?

Threads lets users easily follow the same Instagram users they follow.

You can share a thread to someone via Instagram direct message, add it to your Instagram story, and post it to your feed.

You can also access your Threads account from your Instagram profile by clicking the Threads logo and return to your Instagram by clicking the Instagram logo in Threads.

Get in front of followers with Instagram’s Threads

The Instagram Threads app offers a new platform for personal and authentic communication through text-based content. Its features and user-friendly interface make it a promising platform for connecting with your audience, sharing real-time updates, and harnessing the power of influencer partnerships.

If you’re looking to make the most of Threads or elevate your social media strategy, consider hiring a social media specialist. Whether you’re seeking expert guidance or exploring exciting social media marketing opportunities, Upwork can help.

Discover skilled professionals or explore social media marketing jobs on Upwork today and unlock the full potential of Instagram Threads for your brand or career.

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