Instagram Threads, Meta’s latest social networking platform and a direct competitor to X, is making a significant shift by relocating from the former URL Threads.net to the more memorable Threads.com. This transition marks not only a change of address but also comes with a series of quality-of-life improvements for the Threads web application, enhancing the user experience.
With the move to Threads.com, users will now enjoy easier access to custom feeds, saved posts, and likes. The web app is set to introduce several new tools aimed at improving usability. Among these updates are features for creating new columns, copying posts for resharing, and discovering your favorite creators from X on Threads. These enhancements are designed to streamline how users interact with the platform, making it more intuitive and user-friendly.
Meta originally launched its social app in July 2023 on the Threads.net domain. At that time, the Threads.com domain was owned by a startup backed by Sequoia, which later sold the domain to Shopify in the previous year. In September 2024, Meta successfully acquired Threads.com and began redirecting users from Threads.com to Threads.net. However, starting today, this redirection has reversed, meaning that users who enter Threads.com will now be directed straight to their Threads home screen, enhancing accessibility and promoting the new domain.
The change to Threads.com provides Meta with a more recognizable and easily memorable URL for its social app, which has experienced significant growth, boasting over 320 million monthly active users as reported in Meta’s last public earnings announcement in January. This rebranding effort is expected to bolster the app’s competitiveness against its rival X, which also features a straightforward domain name.
On Thursday, Adam Mosseri, head of Instagram, also unveiled several additional updates to the Threads web app that cater specifically to creators. Users will now see their custom feeds displayed in the same order on the web app as they do on the mobile application, ensuring a consistent browsing experience. Furthermore, users can access their liked and saved posts directly from the main menu, eliminating the need for a pinned column.
Another exciting addition is the ability for users to copy a Threads post as an image instead of relying on screenshots. This functionality aims to simplify the sharing of Threads posts across other platforms, such as Instagram. Additionally, users can now easily add a new column by clicking a dedicated icon on the right side of the screen, and a plus “+” button in the bottom right corner allows for quick post composition.
One of the most noteworthy features introduced is the ability to find and follow the same creators that users previously followed on X. This feature allows users to download an archive of their X data, which can then be uploaded to Threads for a seamless transition. A pop-up notification will inform users of this new capability, which is still in testing phases according to Meta.
In summary, the move to Threads.com marks a significant step forward for Instagram Threads, promising to enhance user experience while solidifying its place in the competitive social media landscape. As Meta continues to roll out these updates, users can look forward to a more robust and engaging platform.
