Meta's Threads has just unleashed a game-changing update. Dexerto tells us that the highly anticipated keyword search feature is finally here but arrives amid dwindling user growth.
Threads' Keyword Search Takes Center Stage
Threads, Meta's answer to Twitter, has been steadily expanding its feature set since its launch back in July. Users have enjoyed the recent additions, including a following feed, chronological feeds, a web app, and the ability to revisit their liked posts.
However, the spotlight is now on the platform's newfound ability to search for keywords, making it even more competitive in the crowded social media landscape.
Mark Zuckerberg, Meta's CEO, and Adam Mosseri, Head of Instagram, recently shared that Threads' keyword search feature is available in most English and Spanish-speaking countries.
Mosseri stated, "Now available in more countries, both mobile and web. We're rolling out keyword search in English and Spanish, in countries where most people post in those languages - such as Argentina, India, Mexico, and the US. Try it out and let us know what you think."
Threads' Endure User Exodus
Despite witnessing a substantial drop in active users since its initial launch, Threads continues to boast a robust user base, and they are buzzing with excitement over this new feature.
While exact figures have fluctuated, it is no secret that the initial surge of interest has waned.
Data from Exploding Topics tell us that Threads counted a staggering 130 million users in its ranks at the most recent count. The growth, however, has been considerably slower compared to its early days.
It took a mere four days and six hours to reach the 100 million user milestone, but in the 58 days that followed, only an additional 30 million users joined the platform.
The most striking drop in user activity occurred within the first week of Threads' launch, where daily active users plummeted by 52% from 41.79 million on July 6 to 23.6 million on July 14.
Users' time spent on the app has also experienced a significant decline. On July 7, Threads users averaged 21 minutes daily, but today, that number has dwindled to a mere 3 minutes.
In stark contrast, Twitter boasts 200 million daily active users who dedicate an average of 31 minutes daily to the platform.
With Threads' new keyword search feature garnering attention, the platform faces the challenge of reinvigorating user engagement and reigniting growth.
In Other News
To help combat the spread of medical misinformation online, YouTube has recently launched a verification system aimed at UK-based healthcare professionals.
During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021, UK users viewed health-related videos on YouTube more than two billion times, highlighting the platform's importance as a source of healthcare information.
Stay posted here at Tech Times.
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