Instagram Threads: What You Need to Know (+5 Fast Tips to Get Started)

New social media platforms are launching all the time, but how do you know which ones are worth investing your time and money into?

Threads is Meta’s newest social media platform that launched in July 2023. While there has been plenty of buzz about this emerging channel already, you may be wondering if Instagram Threads is worth it for your business. We’ve got you covered with this complete walk-through of the newest social media kid on the block.

Table of contents

What is Threads?

Threads is a text-based social media app Meta launched in July 2023. Within Threads, users can share posts up to 500 characters long. Posts can also include links, photos, and videos up to 5 minutes in length. Users can respond to posts—creating a “thread.”

Threads is currently only available to Instagram users with access to iOS or Android in 100 countries. However, that may change as Threads could expand to desktop web browsers and more.

To help understand how Threads works, many people have compared it to Twitter, which is set up similarly.

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Meta even recently released a “following feed,” similar to the one on Twitter (now named X) so users can see posts only from those they follow.

Why is Instagram Threads important?

With so many staple social media platforms dominating the industry already, it’s rare to see a new app emerge in popularity. Let’s discuss the context as to why Meta, the parent brand of Instagram and Facebook, created Threads.

Threads is different from Instagram in that it’s primarily for text-based posts. However, since each Thread reply is added to the original thread, it allows users to have a conversation more fluidly than Instagram’s standard comment section.

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Threads vs. Twitter

Threads wasn’t created solely to build out Instagram’s offerings–it’s been speculated that Threads is meant to directly compete with Twitter. For example, Instagram Threads has openly pointed out that it’s meant to be used more for entertainment purposes, rather than news or politics like on Twitter.

Twitter has gone through a tumultuous rebranding after Elon Musk acquired the platform. This opened the door for the social space to become more competitive (TikTok also recently announced their own text-based features). In fact, Twitter’s usage has declined by 25% since Musk has taken over, and even Twitter’s most active users are tweeting less overall. On top of this, traffic to Twitter has decreased by almost 6% from January 2023 to June 2023. Additionally, in the US alone, Twitter has lost roughly five million users, going from 88 million down to 83 million. Although, Twitter still has about 200 million active users globally.

Meanwhile, Threads reached 100 million users within a few days after its launch—which is one of the fastest growth rates for a social media app ever recorded. However, that number declined just as rapidly as the app has seen a 70% decline in daily active users since then. This indicates that Instagram users are likely trying out Threads, then deciding to opt out and delete their accounts shortly after.

In short, it’s too soon to tell the longevity of Threads in comparison with Twitter—especially with Twitter continuing to throw changes at us by the minute, like the recent rebrand of Twitter into “X.” However, keeping in mind the key similarities and differences between the two can help your business stay ahead of the game.

Should your business be on Instagram Threads?

So, if the Instagram Threads user base continues to ebb and flow, should your business even be on there?

The short answer is yes. You want to maximize your business’s online presence and ensure your brand is easily found online. Keeping up with your business’s listings, social media profiles, and general web presence increases your brand reputation. Also, there are no costs associated with joining Instagram Threads that would eat at your marketing budget.

Think of it this way: if a potential customer is looking for your business on Threads, it’s better to be on there than not. Plus, an Instagram Threads account is quick and easy to create (more on this next).

However, like with anything in marketing, there is no right or wrong answer when it comes to what’s best for your business. You don’t want to take on another platform if you don’t have the bandwidth to properly manage your account. For example, if you don’t have a strong business Instagram account, it’d likely be best to work on your Instagram first before trying out Threads.

How to create an Instagram Threads account

Should you decide Instagram Threads is right for your business, here’s how to create an Instagram Threads account:

1. Download the Threads app.
2. Sign into your business’s Instagram account. (P.S. Don’t have an Instagram account yet? Learn how to create a new Instagram account here).
3. Tap import from Instagram to pull all your Instagram profile’s current settings and information. Otherwise, you can manually personalize your account as necessary. For example, tap the plus sign next to Name to upload a profile picture (we suggest using your small business logo). Tap Bio to add your business description, and tap Link to add links to your profile, like your small business website.
4. Tap Next at the bottom once you’re done.
5. Select whether you want to have a public or private profile at the top of the page (anyone under 16 or 18, depending on the country, is required to have a private profile). Then, tap Continue at the bottom.
6. Review the terms and policies, then tap Create profile at the bottom.

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5 tips to get started with Instagram Threads

Here are a few fast Instagram Threads tips to keep in mind.

1. Solidify your business’s Instagram presence

If your business’s Instagram account isn’t fully optimized, you’re probably not ready to take on Threads just yet. First, you want to ensure you’re maintaining brand consistency in your Instagram profile details. That way, setting up your Instagram Threads will be easier because your profile information and settings will carry over.

Additionally, your Instagram followers can be notified to follow you on Threads. The stronger your Instagram presence, the more successful your Threads launch will be. Not only that, but you can reshare your Threads to Instagram Stories or posts to encourage potential customers to find you on the new platform.

2. Check out your competition

Assessing your competition is always a good idea when trying out a new marketing channel like Instagram Threads. Search for competitors in your industry on Instagram Threads to see what their approach might be. That way, you can identify opportunities for your business to stand out on Threads ahead of time.

3. Set goals

Your social media goals can be a guiding light when you first get started on Instagram Threads. Think about what you’re looking to achieve on Threads—whether it be brand awareness, engagement, or even moving customers down your social media funnel. You’ll want a way you can track the success of your Threads initiatives, and setting goals using the SMART method (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound) can be a great start.

4. Be active and join conversations

Once your Instagram Threads profile is live, don’t just let it hang out without any activity. You want to show your audience you’re active within the Threads community and worthy of a follow. This means you’ll want to get comfortable both responding to a thread as well as starting your own.

5. Promote your Instagram Threads account on other channels

Aside from promoting your new Threads account on your Instagram, you’ll want to take a cross-channel approach to marketing your Threads account. For example, you might link to your Threads account on your website or encourage your followers on LinkedIn and Twitter to find you on Threads, too.

Get ahead of the curve with Instagram Threads

If you’re ready to switch up your social media strategy and foster meaningful conversations with your audience, get on Threads! Instagram Threads can be a great alternative for businesses who haven’t seen success on Twitter. Additionally, Instagram Threads is simply a new and exciting opportunity for you to expand your business’s reach online!