Introduction
In the vast realm of social media, few platforms have made an impact as profound as Twitter. Born out of a simple idea, this microblogging has transformed the way we communicate. From the day of its start, Twitter has evolved into a global influence. This social media shapes the way we share news, and take part in social movements.
In 2023, after seeing the fall of Twitter, Zuckerberg decided to open Threads. In this article on The Wellix, we embark on a journey through the new Threads world. Let’s uncover this new social media to see an option against Musk’s misleading vision.
The Birth of a Revolution: Twitter’s Beginnings
Once upon a time, in the era of evolving technology, Twitter emerged. The brainchild of Jack Dorsey, Noah Glass, Biz Stone, and Evan Williams wanted a minimal app.
Its original name “Twttr” reflected the concise nature of its posts – 140 characters or less. They used the idea of microblogging, as a way to communicate faster.
From its beginnings, it grew into a platform that changed the face of social media. The world’s first tweet, “just setting up my twttr,” paved the way for millions of users. A new world was born.
Unveiling the Microblogging World: Less is More
At the heart of Threads, X and others lies its unique feature – microblogging. This means each post can be only 280 characters.
The limitation on character count proved to be a blessing. The users became concise, creative, and to the point. Information could flow faster.
With this, it gave rise to trends like hashtags, mentions, and retweets. For the first time, it built connections to create viral content.
Also, adding photos, videos, and GIFs into microblogging opened a new dimension. Polls facilitated interactions, enabling users to gather opinions from their followers with ease.
The Arrival of Elon Musk on Twitter
Elon Musk twitted on his official account that he will buy the actions of Twitter. He wanted to give social media “free speech”. On October 28th the acquisition was finally made and a lot of things started to change.
His first step was to fire the key CEOs including Parag Agrawal. After that, he stated that the content policies will be open. This was hailed by the far-right and its pundits.
A new era entered the company. On Saturday 29th of July Twitter changed to X.
Threads, the Response of Meta (Facebook) to X
On July 5th, 2023, Meta launched Thread a new social platform like Twitter. This move was a response to the changes in the classic platform. The idea of Zuckerberg was to take the users of Twitter and bring them to the Meta using Instagram as a bridge.
The Features of Threads are the Next:
- You have 500 characters for each post.
- You also have multimedia integration: video, images, gifs, etc.
- Create 5 minutes for each video you want to upload.
- You need Instagram to have Threads. This may be a disadvantage.
- Advertising will start until 1 billion users are in.
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly: X’s Influence on Communication
X facilitated global conversations, connecting people from diverse backgrounds and perspectives. It brought about a sense of unity and solidarity during times of crisis.
But, like any powerful tool, X had its challenges. Misinformation and fake news led to the rise of fact-checking and content moderation.
These things are changing as the company wants the user to be responsible for their opinions. Musk wants to change community policies to let anyone share his ideas even being mean to others.
In the past, Twitter grappled with the problem of online harassment. The company made efforts to create a safer and more inclusive environment. This may change with the new view of X company to a “platform without censorship”.
Mastering the Art of Threading: Best Practices and Tips
To harness the potential of Twitter, one must master the art of tweeting:
- Craft engaging writing.
- Deliver quality content that resonates with your audience and tells compelling stories on Threads.
- Time plays a crucial role in maximizing reach and engagement. If you post during peak hours you can have more visibility. Navigating Thread’s etiquette ensures positive interactions while avoiding pitfalls like excessive self-promotion.
- Growing a Threads presence involves building a loyal follower base. Use meaningful interactions and thoughtful engagement.
Threads Beyond the Screen: Integrating Threads into Daily Life
Thread’s influence extends beyond mere social networking. Businesses harnessed Twitter’s power for marketing and customer engagement. This enables direct interactions with their target audience.
Personal branding and networking take on new dimensions, with professionals using Threads. The social view helps leadership connect with industry peers and normal people.
Moreover, Threads‘ potential for social causes and social views opens doors for changes. Using social media to make conscious statements helps others to take action. We can build a better world with these small actions.
Conclusion
From Twitter to X to Threads, microblogging has taken the world by surprise. Its influence on society, culture, and communication is undeniable. Threads platform has the potential to be an alternative to X.
If we use it to contribute to the digital discourse, the chances of X surviving will be a slap to Musk.
The wonders of Threads are that it is like Twitter. To make the most of it, we need a thoughtful community that maintains the legacy of Twitter. So, publish on, and raise your voice in this ever-connected world!
References
Twitter X logo: Elon Musk rebrands social media platform | CNN Business
Elon Musk Completes $44 Billion Deal to Own Twitter – The New York Times (nytimes.com)
by Alonso Ruiz