Threads by Meta is Now Available in Europe
January 02, 2024
A few months after its initial launch, Meta released Threads in Europe. The delay comes as a result of Meta having to ensure that Threads adheres to European regulations related to online services.
European users will now be able to access Meta’s microblogging app by using a Threads profile connected to their Instagram account. Alternatively, users can also use Threads without a profile, an option only available for the European market.
People who choose to use Threads without a profile will be able to search, view, and report content and share content via link, but they will not be able to interact with the content or create posts themselves.
This launch in Europe represents Threads’ largest market expansion since its launch in July, which could add significantly to Threads’ 100 million active monthly users. To gather traction ahead of the launch, Threads displayed a countdown timer on its site for European residents. On the day of the launch, Mark Zuckerberg posted on his own Threads account, “Today we’re opening Threads to more countries in Europe. Welcome everyone.”
Zuckerberg aims to grow Threads to more than 1 billion users worldwide in the next few years, and while this new market may help, there is still a long way to go.
In its blog post announcing the launch, Meta says, “We’re excited to see more people using Threads and will continue to listen to community feedback to further improve the experience for everyone.”
Upon its initial release, Threads had fairly basic functionality. Since then, Meta has introduced a number of improvements, including adding a desktop version and a Following Feed, as well as the ability to edit posts and search using keywords or tag topics, which are similar to hashtags.
In addition to these new features, Threads will also introduce fact-checking capabilities early next year. Meta has said it is working with third party vendors who will “review and rate review and rate false content on Threads.”
Threads users will also benefit from controls in place on Instagram and Facebook that can adapt the level of “sensitive” or “fact-checked content” users will see on these apps.
