Threads: New Monetization and Features Unveiled by Meta
In a development that seems expected, Meta—operating Facebook, Instagram, and Threads—has decided to explore new revenue streams through its platforms. Threads, which made its debut two years ago, had been largely ad-free until recently, offering only a handful of ads to select users in Japan and the United States. However, with its growing popularity, the platform is ready to begin contributing to the overall profits. Adam Mosseri, the head of Instagram, shared this announcement in a Threads post, stating, “We are expanding the reach of ads on Threads today, aiming to enhance your experience. We are attentive to your feedback as we evolve.”
The announcement underscores the end of an ad-free experience on Threads. Although it may take some time for ads to be fully implemented across all regions, users can expect a shift in their feeds as brands compete for their attention. The ad experience is anticipated to resemble that found on Instagram and Facebook, with sponsored content clearly labeled and tailored using personal data to enhance relevance.
Not everything is changing for the worse; Threads is also introducing several exciting new features. One notable addition is an improved post composition method. Now, a + button will appear in the bottom-right corner of the interface, allowing users to initiate a new post easily. This is a more convenient option compared to the previous location at the top of the feed, especially after scrolling down. The new setup enables users to create content while maintaining their current position in the timeline.
Another feature generating excitement is the new capability to save a post as an image, enabling users to easily share any Threads post elsewhere. While device screenshot tools work fine, an integrated screenshot feature simplifies the process significantly. To utilize this function, users need to click the Share button beneath any post and choose Copy as image. Options for dark or light themes and aspect ratios are available, along with toggling visibility for post metrics, allowing preference for hiding like and share counts.
The web version of Threads has also embraced a novel approach to a Tweetdeck-style multi-column setup. By clicking the multi-column icon beside the feed, users can select various feeds to display in a multi-column manner. Meanwhile, the standard view has introduced two additional buttons—Liked and Saved—in the main menu (the icon with two lines). This development facilitates quicker access to previously liked or bookmarked posts. Furthermore, the web application now features tabs for custom feeds, enhancing usability by replacing the earlier drop-down menu layout.
In addition, Meta is experimenting with a feature that allows users to import followers from other platforms, currently focusing on X (previously Twitter). Once this option becomes widely available, transitioning followers from other non-Meta services should be more straightforward. Lastly, Threads has transitioned to a new domain—Threads.com—after initially launching on Threads.net when Meta had not acquired the .com domain. It seems that this change has now taken place.
