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Since Threads’ launch last year, users have asked for the option to set their “Following” feed as their default feed. Now, more than a year later, Threads is finally testing the ability for users to do so.
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced on Monday that the social network is now testing the option for users to choose their For You, Following, or a custom feed as their default one.
The launch comes a few days after Threads rolled out custom feeds to allow users to curate feeds around specific topics or certain user profiles. The tool allows Threads to compete with Bluesky, a decentralized social network that lets users build their own algorithms, feeds, and lists.
Meta has been moving quickly to update Threads at a time when many X users are moving to Bluesky, which has now surpassed 20 million users. The recent changes to the app indicate that Meta is looking to appease users by listening to their feedback and giving them what they want in an effort to keep them from moving to Bluesky.
Last week, the platform rolled out changes to surface more content from people you follow in the app’s “For You” algorithmic feed. While some people welcomed the change, others responded to Instagram head Adam Mosseri’s announcement post with frustration, noting that they simply want the option to set their Following feed as their default feed.
Fast forward a few days, and now users have the option to do so. In his announcement post, Zuckerberg said he’s “interested to see how and if people use this.”
It’s unclear if the new feature is rolling out to everyone or just select users. TechCrunch has reached out to Meta for specifics.
Although Threads has a solid user base of more than 275 million monthly active users, it’s facing increased competition from Bluesky. Data from market intelligence firm Similarweb shows that Bluesky is catching up with Threads when it comes to daily active users and that if the social network can keep up its current growth rate, it could eventually catch up with Threads.
Aisha is a consumer news reporter at TechCrunch. Prior to joining the publication in 2021, she was a telecom reporter at MobileSyrup. Aisha holds an honours bachelor’s degree from University of Toronto and a master’s degree in journalism from Western University.
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