Meta’s Threads team has introduced major updates to support the fediverse and the broader social web. Users who enable fediverse sharing will find a new dedicated feed atop their Following list that displays posts from connected platforms such as Mastodon and Flipboard.
This fediverse feed appears as a separate section, intentionally kept distinct from Threads’ main feeds to address concerns like user understanding, integrity, and impersonation. Unlike Threads’ usual algorithm-driven content, this feed shows posts in reverse chronological order without moderation or ranking.
Meta software engineer Peter Cottle explained that the feed serves a unique purpose, akin to traditional RSS readers, where users can follow external authors and publications. The company is still debating whether Threads should fully embrace open social networking or act more as a hub for external content.
Additionally, Threads now allows users to search for Mastodon and other fediverse accounts directly from its search bar. Following these accounts will add their posts to the dedicated feed. This approach addresses the longstanding issue of discovery across decentralized servers.
Despite these integrations, fediverse content remains somewhat segmented within Threads. Users must opt in to share posts and maintain separate accounts, and fediverse replies stay isolated from regular Threads interactions.
Cottle emphasized the importance of distinguishing between different social experiences and acknowledged ongoing challenges in integrating and presenting fediverse content effectively. He also highlighted the need for greater user education about what the fediverse is and how it functions.
While Threads has rapidly developed features like direct messaging, spoiler alerts, and links in bio, the fediverse integration has progressed more cautiously. Nonetheless, Meta remains committed to deepening the connection between Threads and the fediverse.