Threads vs Twitter (X): Which Platform Has The Most Inspiring Potential For Businesses?

Threads vs Twitter (X)… With Threads having recently found its footing as a platform and Twitter transitioning to new ownership and becoming X, there’s a lot to consider when comparing the two.

As a business owner, we believe it’s essential that you get the up to date, relevant information in regards to your options. This ensures you make decisions for your digital marketing strategy that allows your content to rank.

Within this blog we will take the time to consider the functionality of both these platforms and consider which of these two is more worthy of your time investment as a business? 

Threads Vs Twitter (X): They Key Features Of Threads

Threads is a new platform developed by the Instagram team. Similarly to Twitter (X), this digital space is designed for sharing text updates and collaborating within public conversations and communications. 

Threads seamlessly integrates with the primary Instagram app, allowing users to connect with their closest followers through a series of text-based posts. 

Unlike Instagram’s scroll-based picture feed, Threads adopts a more linear approach, presenting each message as a standalone entry that others can engage with. Options for engagement include: 

• Liking or ‘hearting’ posts.
• Commenting or ‘adding to the thread’. 
• Re posting or sharing the thread. 
• Sending the thread to your story, Instagram feed, sharing the link or forwarding to facebook messenger.

Key information about Threads

• You log into the app via your Instagram account, meaning you can easily import your network from Instagram to Threads.
• Post length is around 500 characters.
• As it is a new platform, threads is frequently undergoing change, updates and transition. 
• Text-centric conversations: Threads prioritises text-based interactions, enabling users to share their thoughts and ideas in a more comprehensive, condensed manner.
• Visual accompaniment: While text takes centre stage, Threads also allows for the inclusion of photos, polls and videos to enhance the storytelling experience.
• Private audience: Threads operates within a closed circle, connecting users with their closest followers, fostering a more intimate and personal atmosphere.
• Direct responses: Threads facilitate direct replies to individual messages, allowing for focused discussions and meaningful exchanges.
• Faster messaging abilities: You can switch between messaging with camera, text, stories and more. This allows for faster communication.
• Enhanced privacy: Threads messaging is encrypted end-to-end and does not share data back to Instagram or Facebook, keeping your Close Friends communications more private.

Threads Vs Twitter (X): Considering The Benefits Of Threads

1. Threads already has excellent integration with other meta apps. This means you can readily import followers across from Instagram. 

2. Deeper connections: Threads foster genuine connections by encouraging thoughtful and meaningful conversations.

3. Personalised content: Users can share their unfiltered thoughts and experiences without the pressure of curating content for a wider audience.

5. Enhanced storytelling: The ability to combine text, images, and videos allows for more engaging and impactful storytelling with a real time feel.

Threads vs Twitter (X): What Features Can We Expect From Twitter (X)?

Twitter, also known as X, transitioned ownership to Elon Musk in 2022. As a social networking tool, its function has always revolved around short, snappy communications that can be engaged with by other users.

Twitter (X), seeks to defy the norms of  traditional social networks that can enable the spread of misinformation. This platforms goal is to bring people together through truth-seeking dialogue and real time information.

Some of the core features of Twitter X include:

1. Strong moderation to limit hate speech and harassment

2. Protecting free speech

3. Advanced machine learning models to detect mis/disinformation and uplift quality discourse

Within its design, Twitter X hopes to set a new standard for social technology that brings out the best – not the worst – in humanity. It aspires to be a digital town square welcoming to all, but intolerant of cruelty – a place for connection, understanding and positive change.

Options for engagement include:

Key Features Of Information About Twitter (X)

• Characters of a Tweet are currently based on the type of subscription that the user has. These range from 280 characters to 4,000 characters for blue tick subscribers.   
• Multimedia: Users can currently include images, videos, and GIFs in their tweets.
• Threaded Tweets allow users to create a series of connected threads to share longer thoughts or stories. 
• Retweet: Allows users to share others’ tweets with their followers.
• Quote Tweet: Enables users to add a comment to a tweet before retweeting it, facilitating further discussion.
• Replies: Users can respond directly to tweets, creating a conversation thread.
• Mentions: Using ‘@’ followed by a username to tag others in tweets, which notifies them and links to their profile.
• Private Conversations: Allows users to send private messages to one another, individually or in groups.
• Hashtags as topic aggregation: Using ‘#’ followed by a keyword or phrase helps categorise tweets and makes them discoverable in searches.
• Trending Topics give Twitter (X) a real-time insight: Displays current popular topics and hashtags, reflecting what is trending globally or in specific regions.
• Customising your feed: Users can create lists to organise accounts into thematic or interest-based groups for easier content consumption.
• Curated Stories: Allows users to create and view collections of tweets telling a story or covering an event.
• Twitter Spaces allows for live audio conversations, allowing users to host and participate in live audio discussions.
• Authenticity Check: Verified accounts with a blue tick mark indicate authenticity of public figures, celebrities, and brands.
•  Advanced Analytics and Engagement Tracking: Provides insights on tweet performance, audience demographics, and engagement metrics.
• Advertising and Promotion Business Tools: Offers paid options for promoting tweets, accounts, or trends to reach a wider audience.
• Accessibility Features Alt Text for Images: Allows users to add descriptive text to images for visually impaired users.

Threads Vs Twitter (X): Considering The Benefits Of Twitter (X)

1. Popularity and ability to share Instant Updates and Breaking News: Twitter’s design is optimised for rapid information dissemination and as it is an established platform, it already has an established network of millions of monthly users. 

Users can quickly read and share breaking news, hot topics, and trending events in real time. This makes it an invaluable tool for staying up-to-date on current affairs and connecting with people who share their interests.

2. Virality and Social Influence: Twitter (X) is widely known for its ability to spread information and ideas virally. Users can share and retweet content that they find interesting or relevant, reaching a wider audience and amplifying the reach of the original message. This makes Twitter (X) a powerful tool for social influence and reaching a global audience.

3. Public Relations and Crisis Management: Organisations and businesses have the ability to use Twitter to communicate with the public, respond to crises, and manage their reputation. Its immediacy allows business users to address issues quickly and directly, shaping public perception and handling sensitive situations effectively.

4. Entertainment and Humor: Twitter (X) is a hub for humour, memes, and entertaining content. Users can share funny videos, witty observations, and lighthearted jokes, adding a touch of lightheartedness to the platform.

5. Global Reach and Cultural Exchange: Twitter connects users from all over the world, allowing them to share perspectives, learn about different cultures, and expand their horizons. 

Threads Vs Twitter (X): Which App Is Most Worthy Of Your Time

From our comparison, it is evident that these platforms share similarities. Both platforms focus on short, concise, text based narratives that drive continued, interactive conversations through ‘threads’ 

Whilst Threads is a relatively new platform, its seamless integration with Mat (Instagram and Facebook) means businesses can carry their following to the new platform with them. 

Twitter (X) has a long and well established presence as a platform, despite its recent change of hands. As its foundations are solid as a platform, it’s users are most active and consistent juxtaposed with Threads which might need some time for growth.

Threads vs Twitter (X) FAQ

What is the Threads vs Twitter debate about? (X) The Threads vs Twitter debate examines the pros and cons for small businesses in using either Twitter threads or the Threads app to engage with customers. Threads offers long-form storytelling while Twitter has a massive built-in audience, so both have advantages. This FAQ looks at key differences to consider.

1. Should my small business use Twitter threads or the Threads app? (X) It depends on your goals. Twitter reaches more people, so if broad awareness is key, use tweet threads. But Threads allows you to deeply engage a niche audience, so if you want tighter connections with customers choose Threads. Evaluate which aligns better with your objectives.

2. What is the character limit for threads on each platform? On Twitter, an initial tweet can be 280 characters, but thread tweets can include up to 2,800 characters, allowing for much more detailed content. On Threads, posts have a 12,000 character limit, permitting longer-form storytelling.

3.Can I add images and videos to threads? Yes, both Twitter and Threads allow you to embed images and videos within your threaded posts to make them more visual and engaging.

4. How easy is it to start threads on each platform? Starting a thread on Twitter takes just one initial tweet, followed by replies linking them together. The Threads app involves a few more steps to create an account and craft posts, but overall is still simple to begin threading.

5. Which threads will reach more potential customers? (X) With 237 million daily active users, Twitter provides access to vastly more people than the newer Threads app. So Twitter threads have much greater visibility with the general public and chances of connecting with potential customers.

6. Does one platform prioritize engagement over reach better? (X) The Threads app is built exclusively for facilitating rich, intimate engagement between users through threads, unlike Twitter which focuses more on top-line reach. So Threads better enables forming tighter bonds with a niche audience.

7. Which is easier for driving traffic to my site? Twitter threads allow you to add live links, driving significant website traffic. Threads does not yet have clickable links, so Twitter offers better direct connectivity to your business’ site and online content.

Which Platform In The Threads Vs Twitter (X) Debate is the one for you and your business?

If you already have a strong and established presence on Instagram, Threads might be the platform for you as you can carry your audience over to the new platform with you.

If you need a space for crisis management comms and to instantly interact with millions of people, Twitter (X) might be the space for you. 

For additional tips and advice around your digital marketing plan, check out this video from our Youtube Channel.

With these considerations in mind, let us know your thoughts on both these platforms in the comments below and which one you hope to implement in your digital marketing strategy.