Instagram Threads: A Year Later

When Instagram Threads was introduced in July 2023 as a competitor to X (formerly Twitter), we summarized what the app offered and why you might consider joining it. Getting in on the ground floor with an app can often present challenges as they haven’t figured out what works best yet. We’re here a year later to provide an update to what Threads can offer and how to best utilize it for your library’s marketing—if you haven’t already joined!

Instagram Threads has listened to user feedback since it began and updates have been made throughout the year. As far as functionality for posting, Threads is now accessible on web browsers and through scheduling tools. This allows more brands, such as libraries, to easily access on their computer or schedule posts like they do on other platforms. Although you still need an Instagram account to create Threads, the app does now allow you to delete Threads without deleting your Instagram account.

Threads has had an increase in growth rate recently and now has 200 million active users on a monthly basis. To continue to grow and create an interactive platform where people and businesses or brands can converse, they unveil new features on a regular basis. When Threads first started, hashtags were not offered and it was somewhat unclear how posts would be categorized and feeds would be organized. Now posts have “tags”, which will allow a thread to be grouped into a category much like on other platforms. The traditional hashtag symbol is slowly being introduced to test with specific users first before the rest of the platform can utilize. Unfortunately, even though you can create a tag, only one is allowed per post, so you have to narrow down to one that best embodies your post. Threads also now has a blue tag above posts that relate to a trending topic. That way, you can click that tag to read other posts that touch on similar topics. In an election year, Threads is attempting to offer a safer, more comfortable conversation that avoids divisive political discourse. They are always working to customize a users’ feed to make sure the algorithm is delivering the content each person wants to see.

As they continue to improve features and give users what they’re looking for, you might still be wondering if Threads is worthwhile and how to approach it. If X doesn’t feel like the right fit for your library’s text-based information sharing, then Threads would be a great alternative. Threads is more of a micro-blogging app, and a way to demonstrate your expertise in a niche environment. Plus, your following is somewhat built-in as it carries over from your Instagram account. Spending time creating a dialogue with followers or other brands on Threads is a great way to build community. The more you interact with your audience, the higher you’ll rank in the Threads algorithm. It’s worth spending some time testing which posts do best and learning who your audience is on Threads now that it’s here to stay!