Threads’ New Communities Feature

Threads’ Loops, as the name suggests, offers users a way to add their individual posts (or Threads) into specific, topic-focused communities or loops. The idea is that, instead of your post simply appearing in the main feed, it can also be fed into a dedicated community where users can join in, share insights, and engage with content related to a particular interest or niche. This in-development tool could offer a new way for users to organise their conversations around shared interests, providing a more streamlined experience within the app.

What Are ‘Loops’ in Threads?

Based on a recent discovery by app researcher Alessandro Paluzzi, ‘Loops’ would enable Threads users to categorise their posts within these communities, giving more structure to conversations. This feature has the potential to organise Threads’ content in a manner similar to X’s (formerly Twitter) Communities, allowing people to join groups and engage in more focused discussions. However, it’s unclear whether the content posted in a Loop will also appear on users’ main Threads timeline or if it will be narrowed to the specific community.

Meta appears to be aiming to increase user engagement by making it easier to discover discussions that align with users’ interests. This aligns with the broader trend of social media platforms offering more segmented, community-driven spaces, with Loops echoing the functionality of similar features across other platforms like X and Reddit. This evolution may also be in response to the increasing trend of users favouring more controlled, interest-based interactions over the public free-for-all that often characterises open social media.

The Growing Appeal of Topic-Based Communities

The introduction of Loops could be a crucial addition to Threads, given the platform’s somewhat muted adoption of traditional features like hashtags. While hashtags have historically served as the way to categorise content on social media, algorithms now dominate, pushing users towards posts they’re more likely to engage with. Loops may offer a way to balance algorithmic content recommendations with more personalised, interest-driven discussions.

This approach also mirrors recent shifts across the social media landscape, where platforms are moving towards private or semi-private spaces for more meaningful engagement. Twitter/X, for instance, has seen increased uptake of its Communities feature, and it seems Meta is following suit by creating a similar function for Threads.

Loops in Action: What to Expect

While Threads is still in the process of developing and refining the Loops feature, with Instagram noting that it’s not yet ready for testing, early reports suggest that it will come with a variety of user-specific options. These will likely include the ability to join and leave Loops, customise your profile within specific communities, and manage how content is shared.

Although it’s not yet clear when Loops will launch, its introduction could make Threads a more appealing space for topic-driven engagement, bringing it in line with other social platforms that offer distinct spaces for niche conversations.

For users who’ve been seeking more focused ways to engage on Threads, Loops could be the tool that elevates their experience, helping them connect with the discussions that matter most to them.