Threads, the primary competitor to X, is reportedly gearing up to launch a web version in the near future, as per a report by the Wall Street Journal. This web-based iteration of Threads is presently in internal testing stages, according to statements by Adam Mosseri, the head of Instagram.
The user base of Threads has been witnessing a consistent decline ever since its initial release earlier this summer. In response to this trend, the developers are now introducing a significant enhancement to the app — a web version. Adam Mosseri, in a statement last Friday, revealed that the testing process for this new feature is already underway within the organization.
Previously, Threads users were constrained by the limitations of the smartphone app and its restricted feature set on the web. However, with the forthcoming web version, these limitations are expected to be mitigated.
“We’ve been utilizing an early internal version for a brief duration,” commented Mosseri in a Threads post. “However, there are still some refinements needed before a wider release.”
Threads experienced a promising launch phase, amassing a user count of over 100 million within its debut week. Despite this, the app faced challenges from the outset. According to data from SimilarWeb, a platform tracking online traffic trends, Threads exhibited a decline in user engagement after its initial surge.
For instance, on its peak traffic day of July 7th, there were 49 million daily active users on Android devices. However, in the subsequent week, this number dropped significantly to 23.6 million daily active users. This figure accounts for only about a quarter of X’s daily audience.
As Threads strives to catch up with its competitor, X, Adam Mosseri and Meta’s CEO Mark Zuckerberg have both promised a series of updates in recent weeks. These updates include an enhanced search functionality, among others. Some updates have already been rolled out, such as post notifications for specific accounts and the introduction of a chronological feed.
Users of Threads have also been vocal about their desires for additional features. One user humorously stated, “GIVE US SCHEDULING!!! – Every social media/comms person.” Another user requested the inclusion of “light” and “dark” modes, similar to what X offers.
