Threads, the app owned by Mark Zuckerberg, has rolled out a much-awaited chronological newsfeed for its users. Starting this week, Threads allows users to sort and view their content in a chronological format based on the accounts they follow. Previously, the app featured an algorithmically-driven “For You” feed that included a mix of followed and recommended accounts. Responding to a user’s request for the feature, Zuckerberg announced the update in a Threads post, stating, “Ask and you shall receive.”
The introduction of the chronological newsfeed on Threads comes just days after Elon Musk caused a stir by changing Twitter’s globally recognized blue bird logo to a simple black-and-white “X.” Musk argued that the change reflects a long-term goal of turning Twitter into an “everything app,” expanding its capabilities beyond 140-character messages. Despite this rebranding effort, Twitter’s erratic leadership and sagging usage have prompted Musk to consider cutting prices to attract advertisers back to the platform.
Threads has emerged as a significant challenger to Twitter’s social media dominance since its recent debut, garnering over 150 million users. However, one of the early criticisms of the app was the lack of a chronological feed. Instagram boss Adam Mosseri had previously hinted that the feature would be introduced soon. The feud between Zuckerberg and Musk escalated even before Threads’ launch, with Musk challenging the Meta boss to a cage match. Threads’ latest update, including the new chronological feed, could further fuel Musk’s frustration over the app’s similarities to Twitter and potentially lead to legal action.
Alongside the chronological newsfeed, Threads detailed several other new features set to launch, such as language translations for posts, improved filtering options for notifications in a user’s activity feed, an enhanced follow button, and an “approve all” option for follow requests. Zuckerberg also announced that a web version of Threads is in the works, though a timeline for its launch was not specified. As Threads continues to evolve and gain users, the competition between the tech billionaires remains intense, with both vying for social media dominance.
