Instagram Threads, a social network developed by Meta and positioned as a competitor to X, is officially transitioning its online presence from Threads.net to Threads.com. This shift will accompany several enhancements to the Threads web app, facilitating easier access to custom feeds, saved posts, and likes, alongside new tools for creating columns, sharing posts, and connecting users with their favorite creators from X.
Initially, when Meta launched the new social app in July 2023, it used the URL Threads.net. This choice was due to the fact that the domain Threads.com was owned by a Sequoia-backed Slack alternative startup, which was later acquired by Shopify.
In September 2024, Meta acquired the Threads.com domain and began redirecting the URL Threads.com to Threads.net. Starting today, however, users typing in Threads.com will directly access their Threads home screen, while those entering Threads.net will be redirected to Threads.com.
This change provides Meta with a more recognizable and memorable URL for its social app, which reported over 320 million monthly active users as of Meta’s last public earnings announcement in January. This rebranding effort could enhance the app’s competitiveness against its rival X, known for its simple domain name.
Additionally, Adam Mosseri, head of Instagram, announced other updates for the Threads web app, primarily used by creators. These updates include the synchronization of custom feed orders across mobile and web apps and more accessible navigation for liked and saved posts via the main menu.
A new feature allows users to copy Threads posts as images instead of taking screenshots, which Meta believes will facilitate sharing on other apps like Instagram. Users can now also add a column by clicking a new icon on the right side of the screen and create new posts by clicking a plus button in the bottom-right corner.
Furthermore, a recent feature enables users to find and follow the same creators they previously followed on X. This feature, still in testing, is activated by downloading an archive of X data and uploading it to Threads. Earlier this month, users with access to this feature were notified through a pop-up indicating they could “Find popular creators from X.”
