Threads is expanding its integration into the fediverse, an interconnected social network that includes apps like Mastodon and PeerTube using the ActivityPub protocol. Meta announced that its beta for sharing to the fediverse is now available to Threads users aged 18 and up with public accounts in over 100 countries. Initially launched in March in the U.S., Canada, and Japan, the beta aims to educate users about the fediverse, explaining its structure and functionality within Threads.
Key Features and Updates
- User Education: Meta provides an explainer within Threads to help users understand the fediverse and how to federate their accounts.
- Expanded Availability: The beta is now accessible in over 100 countries, expanding from its initial three-country launch.
- Interaction Capabilities: Authors of federated posts can like and see replies from the wider fediverse, although responding to those replies is not yet possible.
- Content Federation: Threads posts will be available on Mastodon, with likes and replies from the fediverse visible on Threads. Currently, only top-level posts and self-replies are federated; other post types like polls are not supported.
- Activation: Users can enable fediverse sharing in their Account Settings under "Fediverse Sharing (Beta)," which includes instructions and a link to the Threads Supplemental Privacy Policy.
Meta aims to grow the fediverse responsibly, focusing on creating a safe, diverse, and interoperable community. The company plans to continue collaborating with developers and policymakers to enhance the fediverse experience, offering benefits like expanded content reach and community building.
With over 150 million monthly active users as of April, Threads has quickly become the largest app in the fediverse. The wider fediverse has over 11 million total users, with more than 800,000 active on Mastodon monthly.
