Threads, a social media app owned by Meta, has been grappling with retaining its user base, and to address this challenge, it has been developing features similar to those found on Elon Musk’s platform, X (formerly Twitter). Recently, a Threads user accidentally leaked an upcoming feature known as “trending topics,” which bears a resemblance to X’s “What’s happening” feature.
In the leaked screenshot, a search bar was visible, along with trending topics on the platform, accompanied by information about the number of threads posted on each topic. This feature mirrors the functionality of X’s “What’s happening” section.
The inadvertent disclosure occurred when a Threads employee, part of Meta’s workforce, posted the screenshot on the public timeline instead of in a designated private channel meant for sharing feedback within the company. Meta employees have access to a special feed where they can post content exclusively for other employees’ eyes, but it appears that this engineer made an accidental public posting.
This isn’t the first time Threads has drawn inspiration from X’s features. It has previously introduced features like the “Following” and “For You” feed, offering users multiple ways to view posts from various profiles. Another feature, “Translations,” automatically translates posts in a user’s feed based on the language they are written in and the viewer’s language settings.
In its efforts to stay competitive and engage users, Threads seems to be emulating successful elements from X’s platform while navigating the challenges of retaining its user base.
