There's no denying that the Twitter-verse isn't what it used to be, thanks at least in part to the blue Twitter Blue program being abused by randoms and malcontents alike. While there are alternatives such as Mastodon around, they aren't gathering the type of momentum that might worry Twitter thanks to the complexity of the user experience. But now there's a new option on the horizon from a social media company we all know and well, we know them. Yup, good old Meta of Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, and Cambridge Analytica fame is busy prepping a platform to compete against Twitter.
As reported by digital media expert Lia Haberman, Neta's Twitter rival could launch as soon as the end of June. While leaked images reveal a visual experience much like what one experiences on Twitter, Meta's app is decentralized as the Mastodon app is, and will even be compatible with Mastodon.
The leaked slides also reveal that the app is classified as “Instagram's new text-based app for conversations” and known internally as P92 and Barcelona. Rather than yet another account you need to remember login details for, you will be able to sign in using your Instagram username and password, with follows and profile details following suit. Messages of up to 500 characters with attached links, photos, and videos will be shown in the feed.
In terms of moderation, Meta's app will let you control who can reply to and mention your account, with any blocked accounts on Instagram also being blocked in the new app.
For websites and creators, it will be interesting to see if Meta will provide a free API that can be used to share links to articles, videos, and posts automatically via third-party apps such as Buffer, HootSuite, WordPress, and so on. In which case your favorite creator or site could switch over from Twitter.
I'm no fan of Meta, and while I still use Twitter for work and the odd occasion of doom-scrolling, I will admit that if there were a viable alternative that was widely available throughout the world, I would switch without much hesitation. As with any messaging app, though, it can be the best thing since sliced bread but if the people you like or follow are on a different platform then it won't gain traction. This is part of the problem with Twitter alternatives such as Mastodon and BlueSky. Granted, it feels a little like switching to the devil you know from the device you aren't sure about if that makes sense.
But, with Meta's resources, it could be a different story when “Instagram's new text-based app for conversations” is officially launched. Would you switch?
