Threads fights to stay relevant with its new search filter feature

Emmanuel Oyedeji -

The lack of a chronological search has long been frustrating for Threads users looking to find news or commentary about real-time events, particularly those coming from X (now Twitter).

While Threads had introduced a trending topics feature, the app's algorithm often surfaces a mix of old and fresh content, featuring a mere five entries. But, a recent test feature by its parent company Meta might relieve this frustration.

The feature is a new search filter designed to prioritize recent results to a small number of users. While this new search filter doesn't replicate a strict chronological view, Instagram head Adam Mosseri believes it will notably enhance the app's capacity to showcase breaking news and trending discussions for its 130 million users.

For Threads users craving a more real-time experience similar to X, this new search filter addresses a common pain point.

CHART: Threads app surpasses 100 million users, becoming the fastest-growing platform ever
Threads, the menacing Meta-owned Twitter rival that is currently making waves in the social media landscape surged past a remarkable milestone – 100 million sign-ups in less than five days, cementing its position as the fastest-growing online platform in history. The app, which debuted on Apple and Android app stores in
TechloyEmmanuel Oyedeji

Meanwhile, Meta is exploring messaging features for Threads. Leveraging Instagram's inbox infrastructure, it will allow users to initiate messages directly from the Threads app. But Threads still doesn’t have its own full-fledged DM feature and it’s unclear when this will be introduced, if ever.

Thread's new search filter is one of a number of X-like updates that have arrived on the app recently, highlighting its strategy of implementing successful features from the app, as it seeks to lure X users away.