Threads is finally getting search functionality, but it’s pretty barebones

You still can't browse trending topics or news categories like you can on X.

New Delhi | September 1, 2023 05:25 PM IST

2 min read

Threads is slowly catching up to X. (Image: Zohaib Ahmed/The Indian Express)

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It’s been almost two months since Threads launched, but it still doesn’t feel like a real X (the app formerly known as Twitter) alternative. The platform is missing some basic features that users expect, like being able to search for posts by keywords. But that’s changing slowly.

Threads has begun testing keyword search in Australia and New Zealand, letting users find posts that contain a specific word or phrase. The head of Instagram, Adam Mosseri, said the test started on Thursday, August 31 and will roll out to other English-speaking countries including the US soon.

Meta’s CEO Mark Zuckerberg shared the news on Threads, saying “Get excited — search is coming to Threads.” He also added a GIF of Vin Diesel from the Fast and Furious movies saying “I bet you gonna enjoy this.”

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But that’s not the only new thing on Threads lately — the app has been getting a lot of updates since it launched last month. Earlier in September, Zuckerberg announced some new features, such as adding custom alt text, a new mention button, and the option to share Threads posts to Instagram DMs.

Threads also got a desktop version recently, so users can post from their computers as well as their phones. Meta also added a “following” feed that made the app much more user-friendly, and a new Reposts tab.

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