In a recent development, Instagram’s head, Adam Mosseri, has confirmed that his team is actively working on creating an API for Threads. This announcement came in response to concerns that such an API might favor publishers over creators. The revelation was made in Instagram Threads where Casey Newton, from Platformer, pointed out that the absence of a developer API is why Threads currently lacks an equivalent to Twitter’s TweetDeck.
This move towards developing an API for Threads is expected to have a significant impact on how users interact with the platform and access its content. By opening the door to third-party apps and web experiences, this API could unleash a wave of new ideas, potentially adding features that Threads currently lacks, such as list functionality or the ability to follow specific topics.
Potential Benefits and Concerns
The development of a Threads API raises several important questions and opportunities. It could foster a more diverse and innovative ecosystem of applications built around Threads, offering users a wider range of tools for interacting with the platform. This potential evolution might result in a more dynamic and user-friendly experience, enhancing the platform’s overall appeal.
However, there is also concern that, like other major social platforms, Instagram Threads might impose restrictions on its API that limit the creativity and freedom of third-party developers. In recent years, platforms like Twitter and Reddit have introduced restrictive API policies that led to the closure of various third-party apps.
Some developers migrated to alternative platforms, like the makers of Tweetbot, who created Ivory for Mastodon. Threads, with nearly 100 million monthly active users, represents a lucrative opportunity for developers, making it a particularly attractive option compared to other alternatives in the social media landscape.
ActivityPub Integration and the Future
Beyond the API, another open question is how Instagram Threads will approach integration with the open social media protocol, ActivityPub. Adam Mosseri has expressed a commitment to linking Threads to this protocol and has taken steps in that direction by allowing verification of Threads profiles in the fediverse. This integration could potentially lead to Threads posts appearing in feeds alongside content from other platforms like Mastodon and the Reddit alternative, Lemmy, that operate on the ActivityPub protocol.
This initiative could facilitate a more interconnected and open social media environment where users can choose the platforms and services that best suit their preferences. It remains to be seen how Instagram Threads will navigate this integration and the impact it will have on the platform’s ecosystem.
In response to these developments, we have reached out to Meta, the parent company of Instagram, for further insights and comments regarding the potential for a Threads API. We will provide updates if we receive a response from the company.
Also read: Best Times to post on Instagram
