Initially tested in English-speaking countries, including
Australia and New Zealand, in August, a keyword search was rolled out to most
English- and Spanish-speaking markets in September. Instagram head Adam Mosseri
announced this week that search now supports “all languages” on Threads.
With the feature now broadly available, Threads becomes far
more useful to its nearly 100 million monthly active users worldwide. Keyword
search allows users to quickly find relevant content instead of relying solely
on an algorithmic feed.
Threads is launching in the E.U
The news comes as Threads reportedly nears launch in the
E.U., one of its few remaining untapped major markets. Citing sources familiar
with the plans, The Wall Street Journal states Threads may debut a view-only
mode in Europe, allowing users to read posts without an account.
Offering keyword search before entering the E.U. would prime
Threads to serve users across the region’s array of languages immediately. But
the global availability also caters to the over 100 countries where Threads
already operates.
Threads has raced to match Twitter’s core features through
continuous updates based on user feedback. In recent months, the app added a
chronological feed, web access, polls, hashtag support, profile switching, and
more.
However, Threads lacks Twitter’s mainstay Trending Topics
feature for real-time news discovery. Instagram head Mosseri affirmed Threads
does not emphasize amplifying breaking news like Twitter. Yet an influx of
former Twitter users may influence the app’s path forward.
With keyword search reaching full global capacity, Mosseri
says more search improvements are imminent. Threads still blocks select search
terms, for now, pointing to CDC websites on sensitive topics.
The ambitious growth of Threads parallels mounting
competition from Twitter, newly under the helm of Elon Musk. While Twitter
currently touts nearly 550 million monthly active users, Threads has room to
expand as it launches across Europe and other regions dominated by Twitter.
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg projects Threads may one day amass a billion users,
framing the app as Meta’s next potential breakout hit.