Threads is rolling out several exciting updates as it gears up for the holiday season. These changes, revealed by Instagram chief Adam Mosseri on Friday, aim to enhance how you discover and interact with content on the app. The announcements also come amid growing interest in Bluesky, which may or may not influence Meta’s developments.
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Here’s what you can expect from the latest updates.
AI-enhanced trending topics
One of the key updates is how Threads displays trending topics. Threads is expanding its list of AI-generated trends, offering more variety and context to the discussion. Since March, users in the U.S. have had access to a limited version of trending topics. This latest change introduces more trends and adds AI-generated summaries.
According to Mosseri, “We’re starting a test showing more than five trending topics on Threads, and we’re using Meta AI to summarise those trends. You can access all the content and get a brief description of what’s happening.”
Previously, Threads’ trending topics relied on highlighted posts related to the trend. AI-generated summaries will take centre stage, giving you an overview of each subject. While it’s not a major shift in how trends are determined, it brings Threads closer to the style of AI-generated topic summaries seen on X, formerly Twitter.
This update is being tested with a small group of U.S. users before a potential wider rollout. However, as seen with X’s AI summaries, accuracy can sometimes be an issue, so Threads will likely fine-tune this feature before expanding it further.
Improved search features
Another significant update is the addition of new filters and tools in Threads’ search function. You can now search for posts within a specific date range or by a particular account.
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For instance, if you’re looking for older posts from a specific creator, the new tools will make it much easier to narrow down your results. This feature is handy for social media managers or anyone searching for specific Threads content.
Threads has also introduced an update to its video viewing capabilities. Now, when you watch videos on Threads, you can rotate your phone to view them in landscape mode.
This small but impactful change brings Threads closer to other platforms that support landscape video formats. It also improves the viewing experience for content like sports highlights, a feature Threads is keen to develop as it competes with X.
Keeping pace with competitors
These updates come as Bluesky is gaining traction in the social media landscape. Although Bluesky remains significantly smaller than Threads, its growing momentum has likely spurred Meta to enhance Threads’ features.
Whether these updates were always part of the plan or a response to rising competition, they’re expected to boost user engagement during the holiday season. With improved discovery tools, AI-enhanced trends, and a more user-friendly video experience, Threads continues establishing itself as a strong contender in the social media space.