Meta is developing a "Starter Pack" feature for Threads, similar to Bluesky's, to suggest users to follow. These packs will be curated by Threads users, not the company itself, and are designed to help newcomers find relevant accounts.
Key Details
- Starter Packs offer curated lists of suggested profiles.
- The feature is currently under development and has been spotted in testing.
- Threads users, not Meta, will create these curated lists.
- This move appears to be a response to Bluesky's growing popularity.
Background
Bluesky's Starter Packs have become a popular way for new users to connect with relevant communities. Threads, leveraging Instagram's social graph, hasn't needed this feature until now. However, Meta seems to be responding to Bluesky's success and the user engagement generated by Starter Packs. Read more about Threads' response to Bluesky here.
Meta's Response to Bluesky
Meta has recently shown signs of viewing Bluesky as a competitor. They've disputed data showing Bluesky's growth, introduced features similar to Bluesky's (like custom feeds), and adjusted their algorithm to prioritize followed accounts. See a weekly tech roundup for more context.
Recent Threads Updates
Threads recently announced a significant increase in users, seemingly in response to Bluesky's growth. Instagram head Adam Mosseri acknowledged shipping untested features, possibly indicating a more reactive approach to Bluesky's competition. Learn more about Bluesky's decentralized vision.