With Threads surpassing 400 million users, Meta is taking steps to shape the platform’s identity by introducing a new feature called “Communities.” This addition is designed to create dedicated spaces where users can engage in focused conversations around shared interests and trending topics.
Meta describes Communities as an evolution of its existing custom feeds and topic tags, but with a more curated and interactive experience. The goal is to foster “casual spaces” where users can share unique perspectives on subjects like basketball, books, technology, or TV shows, and connect with others who are equally passionate.
More than 100 Communities have already been launched, including:
- NBA Threads
- Book Threads
- Tech Threads
These spaces are built around topics that already have strong followings on the platform. Users have begun joining and interacting within these Communities, and Meta is giving “leading voices” in each group the ability to display blue badges on their profiles, signaling their influence and involvement.
While Communities may resemble Threads’ existing topic-based feeds, Meta has introduced subtle but meaningful enhancements:
- Content Ranking: Posts within Communities are algorithmically ranked to surface the most relevant and engaging content, unlike the more randomized nature of topic feeds.
- Custom Reactions: When users like posts within a Community, they trigger custom emojis—for example, a basketball emoji in NBA Threads—adding a layer of personalization and thematic flair.
Meta’s move mirrors similar efforts by other platforms. Twitter (now X) launched its own Communities feature in 2021, and reported a 495% increase in user active minutes within those spaces last year. The trend reflects a growing demand for interest-based social interaction, as users seek more meaningful and organized ways to engage online.
Threads has faced criticism for its algorithmic feed, which often surfaces posts from random, unconnected accounts. Communities could help address this by offering more cohesive, interest-driven experiences. Meta also confirmed that the Communities users join will influence the content shown in their main Threads feed, helping to refine recommendations and improve relevance.
To join and interact within Communities, users must have the 18+ content setting enabled. Meta has built in parental controls and PIN protections to restrict access to mature content, ensuring a safer experience for younger users.
