Meta's social media platform, Threads, is making significant strides to improve its user experience with the introduction of several highly anticipated features. On January 31, 2025, it was announced the platform would roll out dedicated media tabs for both photos and videos, alongside the long-awaited capability to tag other users within photo posts. These updates are particularly noteworthy as they come during heightened competition with rivals like X and Bluesky, which have recently launched similar functionality.
According to Adam Mosseri, head of Instagram, the new media tab aims to allow users to view all their shared photos and videos conveniently. "This feature is a long overdue request from the community," Mosseri mentioned on Threads, emphasizing the platform's responsiveness to user feedback. Previously, locating specific media shared by users on Threads required scrolling through their entire timeline, making it cumbersome for those seeking visual content.
The introduction of the tagging feature mirrors functionality already available on Instagram, enabling users to tag others before posting their photos. It’s important to note, though, this tagging function does not extend to video posts—a key distinction from competitors.
Threads users can now look forward to easily tagging friends or acquaintances by tapping on the human silhouette icon, which pops up when uploading photos. From there, they can search for the desired user and place the tag anywhere on the image before posting. This marks Threads' effort to boost interactivity and engagement amid increasing competition. While users are still waiting for some features to roll out universally, the updates appear to be phased, with most users receiving these functionalities by the end of January.
These new features come just as Threads celebrated reaching 320 million monthly active users, reflecting its impressive growth as one of the fastest-growing social networks. This achievement highlights the platform's solid position within the social media ecosystem, especially since Bluesky reported slower growth rates. With features such as post-scheduling, custom feeds, and AI-driven summaries for trending topics previously added, Threads is continuously adapting to meet user expectations.
Alongside the media tab and tagging feature, Threads is introducing another feature named the "markup tool," which allows users to annotate posts they wish to share, adding their commentary and interactive elements like highlights or doodles. Mosseri describes this functionality as empowering, allowing users to express themselves more creatively when they share content from others.
Interestingly, Meta appears committed to keeping pace with on-going trends like the increasing focus on video content, particularly as TikTok remains dominant. Given the popularity of video-first applications, Threads' updates seem timely, ensuring it maintains relevance amid fluctuatin user preferences. Users will soon find posting and interacting much more intuitive than before.
Feedback from the community indicates high anticipation for these features, as they address previous complaints about usability and interactivity within the app. The dedicated media tab aims to streamline content discovery by categorizing posts, allowing visitors to see all media shared by the user without sifting through other text-based updates.
Meta's updates appear to be part of its larger strategy to capture more users dissatisfied with platforms like X, which has seen fluctuations since undergoing significant ownership changes last year. Threads has presented itself as the prime alternative for those migrating away from established networks, offering good growth potential. With the new features expected to drive more engagement, it seems Meta is focused on staying competitive.
These updates will not only facilitate easier navigation of content but strengthen community interaction, encouraging users to explore visual storytelling options more deliberately through Threads. The integration of tagging features reflects the platform's ambition to be more socially engaging, akin to Instagram but with its unique take on microblogging.
While some functionalities are still awaiting rollout, the overall outlook remains optimistic. With Meta investing heavily to refine Threads and consistently improve its platform, users can expect even more functionality enhancements moving forward. Keeping pace with user requests will be central to retaining and growing its user base, especially as global user dynamics shift post-pandemic.
The new features are now live and accessible globally for Threads users, marking another milestone in Meta’s presidency at the forefront of social media innovation. With continued additions to the user experience, Threads is carving out its niche among competitive platforms, leaving room for speculation about what advancements may come next.