Coinspeaker
Meta Introduces ‘Following’ Tab to Threads
Threads continues to win the hearts of many with its latest update, the new “following” tab. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg shook the market when he announced the new text-based social media app Threads on the 5th of July. At a time when complaints against Elon Musk and Twitter filled the internet, the app indeed arrived as a major rival to Twitter. After amassing over 100 million users within a week of launch, Threads continued to welcome users worldwide, and the app has announced new added features to the platform.
Following Tab Now on Threads
With the new Threads following tab, users can view posts from people chronologically. This enhances the “For you” feed experience, in which content is typically curated algorithmically. Since the app launched earlier this month, users have been making different requests, including the demand for a following tab. The requests have been directed to Instagram chief Adam Mosseri and Meta CEO himself. Quoting a tweet by a Threads user who asked for the following tab, Zuckerberg wrote, “Ask and you shall receive.”
Before rolling out the following tab on Tuesday, some leaked documents revealed that Meta was planning to introduce some features to Threads. The documents noted that Meta has been taking note of user feedback and was working on unveiling new tools within the social media app. Notably, users are expecting a direct messaging system, improved search capabilities, and Trends & Topics. Comments on the app show that Threads users are ready to connect with their new friends, and the DM addition will give them the same experience they feel from Twitter, which many are cutting off.
While Threads users wait for more features after the following update, they can also sort their “Activity” feed. People will be able to see the liked posts, and there is the option for post translation.
As Meta rolls out the latest updates on Threads, many pointed out that the following tab and even the existing “for you” option are similar to Twitter’s layout. Internet users have always mentioned the similarities between Threads and Twitter, which recently rebranded to X. Elon Musk’s lawyer Alex Spiro, called Thread a “copycat” and accused Meta of using Twitter’s trade secrets and other intellectual property. The attorney said Facebook’s parent company engaged in “systematic, willful and unlawful misappropriation of Twitter’s trade secrets and other intellectual property”.
Indeed, Threads have similar looks to Twitter apart from the following tab. Many of the app’s icons and features, like the character limits, are replicated on the Meta’s text-based app.
