If Instagram Threads aim to become a strong rival to Twitter and other social platforms, then it should prioritize the trending topics and increase engagement in real-time conversation during special events. This way, it will be easier for the user to discuss Threads updates on the current situation.
Due to this, many Thread users criticize the platform for not giving real-time updates on Sports activities, Global events, and Celebrity content. As a result, they frequently visit the platform X (formerly known as Twitter) to get the latest information in these categories.
Threads lack a display for trending topics, and it is in the initial stages of experimentation with topic tags that are specific in particular regions. Moreover, there is no specific option to arrange results chronologically within the app. The lack of these features in the app makes it challenging for the users to stay updated on the latest stories and news as that happens in real-time.
During this weekend, Instagram Chief Adam Mosseri shed more light on why the Thread group is not keen on enabling this feature —at least not in its current form. He further gives in-depth details by saying that if they do that and compile a complete list of every post containing a particular word in chronological order, then it will unavoidably lead to spammers and malicious users over-brim the thread view with irrelevant content, and they could easily manipulate the system by adding relevant words or tags to their posts.
This kind of situation is quite prevalent on the X platform where spammers simply exploit hashtags by adding trending hashtags in their spam Twitter posts to boost the visibility of their spam posts before a broader audience in popular Threads. As a result, the Thread is taking precautionary measures by currently permitting one topic tag per post. The purpose of this limitation is to prevent the platform from being a tool for spammers that ensures that the conversation threads remain free from unwanted content.
Adam Mosseri further acknowledged that all the Threads consider minimizing the misuse of Threads by removing the additional spam content from the trending results but still, this talk does not seem to be easy.
To prevent being a target of Malicious actors and bots, search rules require a ranking system. Although you can display a Thread’s content in chronological order, however, it is still necessary to exclude dangerous and undesirable content. It is also essential to remove the content that does not violate the guidelines but still needs to be removed.
The Threads team has changed its strategy for evaluating and ranking content. They are modifying their approach and trying to alter the posts and information on the platform to offer a more friendly and positive experience to the user compared to the X platform (formerly Twitter).
In October, the CEO of Meta, Mark Zuckerberg stated that For a long time, he has considered that there ought to be a billion people in public conversation apps with a more positive tone. Zuckerberg expresses optimism in his statement and further states that if they keep making the effort, then there is a great chance of achieving the goal.
In conclusion, the Thread is exploring a unique approach which might be disappointing for the users who are in search of an exact alternative to Twitter, but in the long term, this shift could empower a Meta to create a more engaging real-time conversation for the users but envisioning this without real-time immediacy and capability to pinpoint most prominent discussion topics within the app is quite a demanding aspect for the Thread.