By Zainab Shafiq 
Meta’s social network, Threads, is addressing missing features at its launch, with the latest addition being the testing of hashtags for tagging topics or conversations. In this initial limited test phase, the hashtag feature is exclusively available to users in Australia. Notably, when users type a hashtag with a topic, it appears as a blue-text hyperlink rather than a hashtagged word.
The new tagging feature in Threads comes with a restriction, allowing users to add only a single topic to each post. This limitation is likely a measure to prevent spamming tactics for wider reach and caters to users who appreciate the clean aesthetic of Threads or those who are not fans of in-line hashtags. Meta emphasizes its commitment to refining this feature over time, signaling that the initial version is subject to improvement.
Recent updates have been streaming in for Threads, indicating Meta’s efforts to enhance the user experience. These updates include options to exclude Threads posts from Instagram and Facebook, independent deletion of Threads accounts from Instagram, and the introduction of pinned posts for all users. The fate of Threads’ direct messages remains uncertain, as Instagram’s Adam Mosseri keeps users on edge with ongoing suspense.
These incremental improvements seem to be having a positive impact on Threads’ user engagement. In October, the Twitter rival witnessed a significant boost, doubling both its daily active users and monthly active users. Currently boasting 33 million daily active users and 120 million monthly active users, Threads is making strides in reclaiming its user base after facing challenges a few months ago.
While these figures still fall short of Mark Zuckerberg’s ambitious goal of reaching 1 billion users, Threads deserves recognition for its recent progress and the steps taken to address user preferences and functionality.
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