I started using social media these days network use And online services, such as CompuServe, GEnie and Prodigy. I’m still a heavy social media user. Today, besides the usual, I’m also using newer Twitter alternatives, including Blue sky, social access, mastodonsAnd T2. Recently, I joined the latest one, Meta’s theme – and I’m not impressed.
Here’s why.
Also: How to Join and Use the Meta . Twitter Rival Theme
Starting from scratch, Theme is supposed to be a more text-friendly version Instagram. Indeed, you must have an Instagram account to have a Themes account. Personally, I’d like to add more functionality to Instagram, but that’s just my opinion.
However, you can only use Themes through the Android or iOS app. Now, some people can write text easily on their phones. I am not one of them. Sure, I can text a few words, but even Twitter’s 280 characters are a challenge for me. And I’m not alone. Let’s give those of us who “talk” through the keyboard a web-based interface. After all, all other social media services do.
I also like to go to social media for breaking news, especially Twitter (before it becomes toxic). You won’t find that on Themes either. In a discussion on Threads, Instagram and Threads boss Adam Mosseri said precipiceby Alex Heath, that “engagement or increased revenue” from “participating politics or hard news” is not worth it. Instead, you can chat — or share photos — about sports, music, fashion, beauty, entertainment, etc. In other words, it’s pretty much like Instagram.
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And that’s by design, Mosseri explains: “The goal is not to replace Twitter. The goal is to create a public square for communities on Instagram that have never really embraced Twitter and for communities on Twitter. (and other platforms) care about a less angry place for conversations, but not all of Twitter.”
However, serious discussions do not have to be heated arguments. It’s just that Twitter is taking on the anger by welcoming formerly banned users and extremists.
I have nothing against the smooth theme. My social media followers know I like cats, dogs, dad jokes, Marvel movies, and Broadway musicals. However, I’m also interested in more serious topics, such as news and views on technology and business — and, yes, sometimes, politics as well. I don’t like the idea of a PG-13 social network.
Speaking of light and easy topics, you can’t currently — add GIFs to your Threads posts. this is a GIF alternative, using third-party keyboardsbut I don’t understand why that function is not built in in the first place.
Themes also need a chronological theme option. Facebook is notorious for playing games with your feed, so you can’t get messages in chronological order.
Also: 5 things to know about Threads before you get hooked on your Instagram account
In Themes, it’s even worse. The app shows you a messy mix of posts from people you follow and recommended content from people, groups, and companies you don’t follow. At this point, you can’t decide what’s recommended — instead, it’s Meta’s decision.
And that’s crazy in my opinion. Let’s say you want to talk to your friends about a baseball game in real time, which is a trivial task on other social networks. Good luck attempting that chat on Threads as the social network is currently under construction.
A related issue is ads being mixed into your feed. Worse, there is no easy way to distinguish them from the real messages. This problem is really annoying. And, by the way, I’m really not interested in buying Barbie’s Dream House. Seriously, no.
You can improve your reading experience by moving to the top of your Profile page. Once there, tap the top-right two-bar icon. This will take you to Settings. From here, go to Settings/Notifications/Themes and replies to toggle your notification options. It’s not a perfect solution, but it helps.
Another problem with Threads is that I don’t know when someone tags me in their posts, unless I happen to read their messages. That kind of chance encounter is not the way to start a conversation.
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Meta also promises that it will soon support “decentralization,” meaning you’ll be able to talk to your friends on other social networks that support the feature. ActivityPub protocol. Today, Mastodon is the most popular social network that supports this method. It’s handy, but combined with the Thread’s messy message flow, I don’t expect much from it anytime soon.
Now let’s move on to security. Privacy may not be important to some of you, but if it is, Threads are not your friends. But, again, neither Facebook nor Instagram. Meta Private profile is bleak; Themes are not likely to be any better.
Tristan Louis, an internet veteran and CEO of Casebook PBC, went into the privacy settings of Themes compared to other social networks. Louis noticed: “It’s worse than other social media platforms.”
Louis also said: “Threads want to know EVERYTHING about you, while Twitter is more restrictive in its data collection. Mastodon and BlueSky are clearly trying to compete over who can collect the least data, with Mastodon clearly leading so far.” Specifically, Meta’s properties track “several areas, like political/religious beliefs, sexual orientation, credit scores, or health and fitness.” there’s a reason you cannot have a Theme account in the EUand privacy is at the heart of it.
Theme’s killer feature is — if you’re one of them Instagram has 1.628 billion users — it was a trivial quest to join. If you are an Instagram member, you can join the Thread in a lot less time than it takes to read this article. What will really make Themes grow is that you can invite all your Instagram friends in. Just hit the Import from Instagram button and you’re good to go. Unlike other new social networks, you don’t need to find your friends again.
Also: How to find your followers and friends on Mastodon
However, that level of integration does not mean that success is guaranteed. Google also automatically puts users on its late social network Google+. Although I love G+, it never caught fire. Do Facebook and Instagram users really want to join the third Meta social network? And one that already looks a lot like Instagram? Personally, I doubt it.
However, even if Meta doesn’t push Twitter Alternative Threads, Twitter lost members, and it’s not just about politics. With the neglect of the boss Elon Musk, Twitter keeps failing. People wanted a new service, like Twitter, and thanks to Instagram, Threads took the lead.
But suppose it turns out that you hate Threads — can you get out? No, not yet. You also have to take down your Instagram account to get rid of Threads today. Let me reiterate it: if you get Threads rendered, you’ll also shut down Instagram. Meta is fixing thisbut if you’re a loyal Instagram user, you’re stuck with Themes for now.
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If Meta cleans up the Theme, it can still succeed. Personally, it’s my least favorite new social network. In short, I find it more annoying than helpful.
However, while a social network depends on its technology and interface to function, what makes it successful are the people you associate with. If your team ends up on a Thread, that’s where you’ll be, too. For now, you’ll be more likely to find me on Bluesky and Mastodon, but each is their own.
