Meta Launches Web Version of Threads to Challenge Twitter's Dominance

Meta's new platform, Threads, once solely a mobile app, has now expanded to the web to contest X (formerly Twitter) as the go-to platform for celebrities, corporations, and governments. The move follows a lukewarm mobile debut.

Introducing a web version is crucial to attracting professionals and media figures, who tend to be the most active social media users during working hours, primarily posting from their computers. Instagram head and Threads leader Adam Mosseri announced, "Threads.net is now live for everyone. Let us know what you think."

Previously, Threads was solely accessible as a mobile app exclusively for iPhones and Android devices. However, Meta promises to bridge the gap between the web and mobile experiences, with ongoing improvements and added functionality coming to the web version in the following weeks.

During its initial release in early July, Threads achieved record-breaking download rates, surpassing AI sensation ChatGPT's previous feats. Nevertheless, the app's popularity waned swiftly as early adopters gradually decreased usage and expressed the need for a web version and other enhancements.

High-profile figures granted early access to Threads, including Jennifer Lopez and American Football star Tom Brady, have rarely utilized the platform. Meanwhile, rebranded as X, Twitter remains dominant in facilitating comments and disseminating news. However, X's standing has declined since Elon Musk assumed ownership, leading users to explore alternatives due to the resultant chaos.

According to Similarweb's data, daily active users on the Android version of Threads plummeted from a peak of 49.3 million to 10.3 million. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg acknowledged in the early stages of the launch that the app would require time to stabilize before focusing on community growth.

While Meta's Threads faces an uphill battle in challenging Twitter's supremacy, the availability of the web version marks a significant step forward. Only time will tell whether Meta can gain a foothold in the highly competitive world of social media platforms, especially as users continue to seek stability and novelty in their online experiences.

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