Threads, Meta’s alternative to the platform formerly known as Twitter, had nearly all the tools it needed for success. As a product of one of the largest tech companies and being seamlessly integrated with Instagram, the widely popular photo-sharing app, Threads managed to attract 100 million users within just five days.
However, the platform lacked a significant component: a ‘.com’ domain name. As of April 24, Meta has addressed this issue by launching Threads.com as the official web address for the Threads platform. Meta announced the transition from Threads.net to Threads.com in a company blog post that also included updates on features.
As Elon Musk continues to make changes to X, many liberal users are exploring new social media options. Platforms like Bluesky and Threads are emerging as popular alternatives to Twitter, although neither has reached a substantial user base.
While Threads transitioning to Threads.com won’t single-handedly eclipse X, research indicates that internet users generally prefer and trust .com domains over other extensions. This move from Threads.net to Threads.com is expected to benefit the platform.
Initially launched in July 2023 as a mobile app, Threads expanded to a web version one month later, initially using Threads.net. At the time, Meta did not own the coveted ‘.com’ domain. Users who navigated to Threads.com were redirected to a startup’s website that offered a Slack alternative also called Threads, leading to some confusion.
The startup, which had been using the Threads name, later revealed that it had received acquisition interest from Meta. Ultimately, the company announced in 2024 that it had been acquired by Shopify. In September 2024, technology news outlets noticed that the Whois domain records for Threads.com had been updated to reflect Meta as the new owner.
The exact amount paid by Meta for the domain remains undisclosed, but the company has now officially launched Threads.com as the platform’s web address.
