Finally, one month into its launch, Meta’s Threads has added new features. The decision to introduce them on a roll out is motivated by a desire to capitalise on early intrigue. 

First off, Threads has added a new “Send on Instagram” option, which enables you to directly share a Thread to your IG DMs. Could this mean that a Threads DM inbox is on the horizon? With Instagram chief Adam Mosseri noting that users now share way more content via DM than they do in feed posts or Stories it could well be. 

Threads is also rolling out custom alt-text, so you can add descriptions to photos, or edit auto-generated alt-text tags, before posting. While it’s also adding a new “Mention” button on profiles, so you can more easily mention an account in your post. Although this could easily be replaced by a quick @ which we are all more familiar with…

Threads also recently added the capacity to sort your following list (by who you followed first/last), along with a new section in your Settings where you can view the Threads that you’ve liked.

Despite the new changes, Meta is still far from established and advanced. But the idea is that Threads will be Meta’s way into the next wave of decentralised social media tools, providing an easier pathway for Meta users to connect into these more open services.

Musk’s rebrand to X has prompted many to reconsider whether the platform still suits their purpose, while Musk’s repeated attacks on “mainstream journalists” continue to alienate one of the platform’s key user groups.

Threads usage has declined significantly since its hyped launch, and downloads of the platform have slowed, and it’s still not available in the EU as yet. But maybe, with a desktop app, which is coming soon, more news organisations will start to be more active, which could still see Threads build on that early interest.