Threads: Meta, the company behind Instagram and Facebook, announced a new text-based social media app which has gone viral with 30 MILLION users in less than 24 hours!
Genealogy expert Thomas MacEntee of GenealogyBargains.com helps you understand the new text-based social media app Threads from Meta, the parent company of Facebook.
Maybe you received an invitation to Threads from a follower on Twitter or a friend on Facebook? Or someone you follow posted a screenshot of their Threads profile with a link. Here’s the latest news on this text-based social media app that many are using as a replacement for Twitter.
What is Threads?
Just like Twitter, Threads is free and once downloaded (available in app form only for now, via Apple Store or Google Play), allows you to connect with others and post short text messages and photos. Meta employees recently described Threads as a “sanely run version of Twitter.”
Threads has a 500 character limit on posts and can include various types of media attachments including photos, gifs, and even videos (up to 5 minutes in length).
Threads launched yesterday, Wednesday July 6th in the afternoon and in less than 24 hours has surpassed 30 MILLION users.
And follow Genealogy Bargains at https://www.threads.net/@genealogybargains.
Downloading the App and Getting Online
Currently, Threads is only available as an app for Apple and Android mobile devices. Visit the Apple Store or Google Play on your device and download the app.
Once downloaded, set up a profile and if you are already using the Instagram app, you can easily import contacts and other information. NOTE: currently the only way to delete Threads is to also delete your Instagram app and account.
There is no desktop version of Threads (while there is such a version for Facebook and Instagram) and Meta has promised new features in the near future. In addition, hashtags DO NOT function on Threads at the moment.
How to use Threads for Genealogy
Like Twitter and other social media apps, Threads is a great way to connect with other genealogists as well as with archives, libraries, and genealogical / historical societies.
In addition, genealogists are already posting “queries” seeking information about specific ancestors. And you’ll also find “lookup” requests posted by searching for the keyword “genealogy.”
In terms of privacy, the same caveats apply for other platforms such as Facebook and Twitter. Check the settings for Threads and review the privacy controls including making your profile private or sending posts only to followers.
FREE CHEAT SHEET 20 Tips for Staying Safe Online!
The ability to connect with others through the Internet and, namely social media, brings great opportunities, but also issues, complications and problems which can turn a fun journey of sharing into a bad experience. It all comes down to common sense really: educate yourself, act responsibly and take action when needed.
Download a variety of easy-to-use, free genealogy cheat sheets created by genealogy expert Thomas MacEntee of GenealogyBargains.com at https://genealogybargains.com/free-genealogy-cheat-sheets/.
Conclusion
It remains to be seen how not only the genealogy community, but the community of social media users embrace Threads and if the early adopters kick Twitter to the curb.
Sign Up for Genealogy Bargains E-News!
Sign up for the Genealogy Bargains E-News! Click HERE and you’ll be one of the first to know about the latest features available for Threads!
©2023. copyright Thomas MacEntee. All rights reserved.
