Meta’s text-centric social platform, Threads, is stepping up its game with two highly requested features: a dedicated media tab and photo tagging. The updates, announced today by Instagram and Threads chief Adam Mosseri, aim to streamline how users share and discover visual content while keeping the app’s minimalist vibe intact.
Say Hello to the Media Tab: A One-Stop Hub for Visuals
Gone are the days of endlessly scrolling through text-heavy feeds to find photos or videos. Threads’ new media tab, now live for all users, aggregates every image and video shared on the platform into a single, easy-to-navigate gallery. Located prominently on user profiles, the tab lets visitors quickly browse a creator’s or brand’s visual content without sifting through replies or reposts.
“We want Threads to feel lightweight but still flexible for storytelling,” Mosseri explained in a post showcasing the feature. “The media tab gives people more control over how they showcase their work, whether it’s behind-the-scenes snaps or polished clips.”
The addition is a nod to user feedback calling for better content organization, particularly from artists, photographers, and small businesses leveraging Threads as a companion to Instagram.
Photo Tagging Lands on Threads—With a Twist
Alongside the media tab, Threads now allows users to tag people in photos—a feature long popular on Instagram. But here’s the catch: tags on Threads won’t clutter captions or overrun posts with handles. Instead, tagged profiles appear as subtle icons on the image itself, which viewers can tap to see the tagged accounts.
This minimalist approach aligns with Threads’ ethos of “less noise, more focus,” though skeptics wonder how it’ll handle spam or excessive tagging. Mosseri assured that existing privacy settings, like the ability to limit who can tag you, will carry over from Instagram.
Why These Updates Matter
Threads has been slowly carving out its niche as a platform for real-time conversations, but its lack of visual tools left some users wanting more. The media tab and photo tagging bridge that gap, offering creators ways to highlight their work without compromising the app’s text-first identity.
The timing is strategic, too. As Threads experiments with ads and monetization, reported earlier this year, enhancing content features could attract brands looking to diversify their social strategies. Ads on Threads are still in early testing, but analysts speculate that better media tools could pave the way for shoppable posts or sponsored content down the line.
User Reactions: Mixed but Mostly Positive
Early adopters are already putting the features to work. “The media tab makes my profile look so much cleaner,” said graphic designer Lena Park, who uses Threads to share daily sketches. “It feels like a portfolio now.” Others praised the photo tagging for its simplicity, though some joked about the “pressure” to curate a perfect media gallery.
Not everyone is sold, however. “I joined Threads to get away from Instagram’s photo frenzy,” said longtime user Mark Torres. “Hopefully, they keep the focus on conversation.”
What’s Next for Threads?
Mosseri hinted that more updates are in the pipeline, including potential integrations with decentralized platforms like Mastodon and improved search functionality. For now, the media tab and photo tagging mark Threads’ latest effort to balance simplicity with creativity—proving that even a “text-based” app can’t escape the demand for visuals.
The features are rolling out globally on iOS and Android. Ready to give them a spin? Update your app and start tagging.
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