Threads App Enhances Fediverse Integration With New Search Features

Threads is rolling out new features to broaden the reach of the fediverse. Users of the platform will be able to find and engage with content from other platforms, improving interaction and expanding the diversity of shared viewpoints. The updates include a new feed and search functionality.

Deeper Dive into Fediverse Integration

A new search function and a dedicated feed for the fediverse are available on Threads. These additions enable users to discover more perspectives that are outside the platform. The new features let users of Threads view posts from federated users they follow, which originated on different servers.

For instance, if a well-known thought leader posts on Mastodon and shares it to the fediverse, their posts are then viewable in a Threads feed that is made up of posts from the fediverse. Right now, fediverse servers include Mastodon, Bookwyrm, and WriteFreely. The content from the fediverse feed on Threads will show up chronologically, with the newest posts first.

Sharing to the fediverse is now available on Threads! Check out what that means for you, and how you can find even more diverse perspectives in the app. https://t.co/xL84Kj5XN6

— Threads (@threadsapp) June 18, 2024

“You can also now search for fediverse profiles directly in Threads. For example, you can search for a WordPress blogger’s federated profile and interact with their posts right in Threads. That way, you’ll be able to see the many conversations happening across platforms while in Threads,” says the official blog.

—Official Threads Blog

How It Works

The fediverse provides an open network of independent social media servers that are interconnected. Every server has its own users, content, and rules. By activating fediverse sharing in Threads, users can see posts from other servers and have their own content shared on those platforms.

To search for a federated user on Threads, users simply type the name into the search bar. For example, if someone enters “@[email protected],” and there is an exact match, the search result will display their fediverse profile with the appropriate icon.

This latest addition will encourage community building while facilitating the exchange of opinions, irrespective of the platform. Statistics from the Pew Research Center show that social media use is high among U.S. adults, with 72% using at least one platform (Pew Research, 2021).

One Year of Fediverse on Threads

Over the last year, interoperability has seen major progress. In March, sharing to the fediverse was enabled for users 18 and older with public Threads profiles in the US, Japan, and Canada. This was then expanded globally, excluding the European region.

Since the launch of sharing to the fediverse one year ago, Threads has interacted with over 75% of all fediverse servers. The primary objective is to foster the fediverse’s growth responsibly. This includes prioritizing the development of a safe community that is inclusive of multiple viewpoints and platforms.