Threads is here, and it’s got the Internet all abuzz. Or all in a twitter, if we can add to the Twitter jokes out there. Our team has been geeking out on the new platform and connecting with other teachers who are early adopters. There’s a lot, too! Seriously, did Instagram strategically plan a new app during summer break on purpose? We wouldn’t be surprised, knowing the power you get with great educators behind you.
One teacher wrote, “I’ve been on Threads for one hour and I’ve already posted more on here than I have on Twitter in the last year.”
If you’re wondering what Threads is all about or if you should even take the time to jump on board, we have you covered. Here’s what you need to know.
What is Threads?
Built by Instagram, this new app is designed to share text updates and join in public conversations. If you already have an Instagram account, it’s easy to log in with the same credentials. You’ll be able to post up to 500 characters, along with links and photos. Here’s the official announcement about it from Instagram.
Are teachers on Threads?
We know plenty of teachers are on Instagram, and we’re seeing a lot of early interest in educators showing up on Threads as well. It looks like it’s going to be a popular platform in the school and education space.
Is WeAreTeachers on Threads?
We are early adopters. Please check us out and interact with us!
Why would I want to use Threads as an educator?
In general, it’s nice to connect with other educators. We know there are lots of teachers on Instagram, so there’s a good chance there will be a lot on Threads as well. While Instagram is great for visuals, it hasn’t been great for having in-depth conversations or linking to resources or websites. It’s also going to be much easier to give credit to sources. We know Teachers Pay Teachers sellers are going to love the ability to directly link to their resources. None of this “Go dig up the link in the bio” business like before.
Is Threads going after Twitter?
You decide, but #TwitterKiller has been trending on social media since the launch. (Twitter has been blocking the trend from showing up on feeds, though.) There are some early reports, saying Twitter wants to sue them over the similar interface and experience. Let the games begin!
Is this actually going to be successful? Is it just another MySpace, Vine, or Google+?
If you ask the experts, early signs are pointing to yes. It had 5 million users within a few short hours, and the numbers keep growing. It is extremely easy to sign up with an existing Instagram account, taking 15-30 seconds tops. Then you can also auto-follow people from your existing Instagram account. If need a good laugh and watch to reminisce about MySpace, check out this TikTok:
@bmotheprince Threads vs. Twitter Who you ridin wit!?! #comedy
Can you delete your account?
Technically, if you want to leave Threads, you should deactivate your account. This will hide your profile and content. However, since this account is tied to Instagram, you can’t entirely delete it without also deleting your Instagram account. This could change in the future, but it’s where it stands now.
Where are the hashtags?
You can use hashtags, but they’re not clickable or discoverable by others. This is a long-standing Twitter trend that has migrated to other platforms. This could change in the future, but as of now, they’re not being used in the same way.
What are people using Threads for?
With any new platform like this, it’s kind of the wild west. We’re seeing some going heavy into sharing links and others using it much like a Twitter experience. It’ll be interesting to see how it shakes out.
How do you find teachers on Threads?
This is a good question. It seems as though the jury is still out on this since Threads isn’t supporting hashtags out of the gate. The search also doesn’t seem that great (yet), and there’s no trending content. We are hoping and expecting this to improve over time.
If you have multiple accounts, how do you switch between them?
Click on your profile button in the top right menu. You’ll then log out and switch accounts. This isn’t as easy as the toggle option that exists right now on Instagram, but it’s pretty easy once you get the hang of it.
Can you become a mega teacher influencer on Threads and quit your day job?
Anything is possible, but we think it might be best to see how it goes and keep those benefits for now. 😆
What other questions do you have about Threads? Let us know in the comments and we’ll try to find the answers!
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