Threads New Features: Post Scheduler, Markup & More

Meta Enhances Threads with New Professional Tools

As Meta actively seeks to attract TikTok content creators to Instagram and Facebook through financial incentives, improvements are also being implemented on its X competitor, Instagram Threads. These updates aim to provide creators, brands, and other users with more robust tools for managing their presence within the application.

Adam Mosseri, the head of Instagram, recently announced a series of new features for Threads. These include the ability to schedule posts in advance and access expanded metrics through the Insights section.

Post Scheduling and Insights

Mosseri detailed the updates in a post on the social platform. Users can now schedule content directly within Threads. This allows for strategic content planning and consistent posting schedules.

The Insights dashboard has also been enhanced. It now provides detailed performance data for individual posts, enabling users to track key trends over specific time periods.

• Views: Total number of times a post has been seen.
• Follower Growth: Changes in follower count.
• Demographics: Geographic location of the audience.
• Interactions: Types and volume of engagement.

Accessing the post scheduler is straightforward. It’s located within the three-dot menu on the composer screen. Users simply select “Schedule,” choose a desired date and time, and confirm their selection.

Scheduled posts are conveniently saved in the drafts folder, allowing for editing or deletion before publication.

New 'Markup' Feature for Reshares

Threads is also introducing a new feature that allows users to add a personal touch to reshared posts. This “markup” tool enables creative expression when sharing content.

Early discoveries by tech enthusiast Chris Messina suggest a new icon will be added alongside existing options like photo uploads, GIFs, and hashtags. This icon will grant access to the markup functionality.

Clicking the squiggle icon opens a screen with tools such as a highlighter and arrow, allowing users to draw directly onto a Thread post before resharing it.

Lindsey Gamble previously showcased this feature in action on Threads, providing a visual demonstration of its capabilities.

Strategic Differentiation

The addition of a direct markup tool is somewhat unconventional for Threads, considering the platform’s frequent use for sharing external content like news articles. Often, users highlight or underline text within screenshots of such articles.

Despite potentially limited consumer demand, this feature offers Threads users a unique capability compared to competing social networks like X, Bluesky, and Mastodon. This differentiation may be a key strategic objective for Meta.

By providing features not readily available elsewhere, Threads aims to carve out a distinct niche within the competitive social media landscape.