Instagram’s text-based social networking app Threads is getting a new and much-requested feature that will allow users to save posts to revisit them later.
According to a Threads post by Instagram head Adam Mosseri on Wednesday, the X (formerly Twitter) rival has begun testing the post bookmarking feature in a limited capacity trial. He also noted it will eventually have a permanent place on the app.
Threads Is Testing A ‘Save Post’ Feature Similar To Instagram
In screenshots shared by parent company Meta (formerly Facebook), a “save” button is seen on Threads that looks very similar to Instagram’s version of the feature. Users will be able to access bookmarked posts from the save section of the app’s settings.
Threads users in the “limited test” can find the new save toggle tucked under the three-dot menu in the top-right corner of a post. However, it is not clear why the platform decided to hide the feature inside the “More Options” menu when Instagram placed its bookmarking icon right next to the “like”, “comment”, and “share” buttons.
Elon Musk-owned X, the very app Mark Zuckerberg is aiming to topple with Threads, recently moved its bookmark button on the iOS app to under the expanded tweet view, making it much easier for users to save posts.
In a press statement, a Meta spokesperson said the company will continue testing the feature and listen to community feedback for ways to improve the experience on Threads. Instagram has had the post bookmarking feature since 2016 and it was widely expected for its sister platform to adopt it.
The ability to save posts for later viewing is helpful especially if it includes a link to a larger and more important content that users don’t have the time to get into while surfing the app.
Since its debut last year, the text-based social networking platform has continuously rolled out new features to appeal to users and take on its rivals like X, Bluesky, Mastodon, Nostr, Post, and Spill.
Threads Is Working On A Trends Feature That Will Showcase Trending Content On The App
In January, Threads confirmed that it was working on a new “Trends” feature that will showcase trending topics on the app’s homepage, similar to trending tags on X.
This came following criticism by some users who felt that the app’s “For You” section prioritized creators and posts from people or channels they don’t follow and are not interested in. The app’s algorithm is also prone to showing older posts, making it feel stagnant.
There were also complaints that Threads was recommending low-quality content to users, an issue Instagram said it was working on. The company claimed that most of its algorithm’s problems could be rectified with the launch of the Trends feature, which will give users a new way to find and indulge in interesting and relevant conversations.
However, Mosseri did not give a date as to when either the Trends or Save features would officially launch on Threads.
Meta Aims To Turn Threads Into Its Next Billion-User Platform
During Meta’s fourth-quarter earnings call, CEO Mark Zuckerberg revealed that Threads currently has over 130 million monthly active users. He also added that the app has the potential to become the company’s next billion-user service, after Facebook and Instagram.
As of December 2023, Facebook has 3.03 billion monthly active users (MAUs) worldwide, making it the world’s most popular social network by number of users, while Instagram has 2 billion MAUs.
