Threads, Meta’s fast-growing rival to X, keeps rolling out updates at an impressive speed. Just after releasing features like communities and disappearing “ghost posts,” the social networking platform added a new set of tools that let users take greater control of their conversations.
One of the standout additions, called reply approvals, lets users decide which replies will appear under their posts before anyone else sees them. This feature gives people a chance to filter out unwanted comments while still keeping their discussions open to everyone. Instead of limiting replies only to followers or mentioned users, as many platforms already allow, Threads now offers a way to stay open and accessible while avoiding toxic or off-topic exchanges.
Meta describes this as a way for users to “set the tone of the conversation,” emphasizing that posters should have the final say over the kind of dialogue that happens on their page. It’s a move that blends openness with control, making public conversations more meaningful and less chaotic.
The update also brings new Activity Feed filters that make it easier to track certain interactions. Users can now view replies only from people they follow or those that mention them. These filters add to existing options like Verified, Quotes, and Reposts, giving users more ways to organize their activity feed.
Meta shared during its third-quarter earnings call that Threads now has 150 million daily active users, a jump from over 100 million in December 2024. In August, the company revealed that the app had surpassed 400 million monthly active users. With that kind of growth, Meta is moving quickly to monetize the momentum. The company has introduced ads worldwide on Threads and is preparing to launch video ads soon.
At the same time, the platform continues to experiment with more user-focused features. Instagram head Adam Mosseri recently announced that Threads is testing a new way for users to fine-tune their algorithm by adding or removing topics based on their interests. The idea is to give people more say in what they see, creating a social experience that feels personal and less dictated by the platform’s automated systems.
Threads is evolving fast, becoming not just an alternative to X but a distinct social space built around control, choice, and healthier online conversations.
