So now that the Threads team has established a means to limit potentially divisive political discussion in the app, it’s now rolling out a live test of Trending Topics to selected users in the U.S.
The DL: Threads, the app by Meta, is launching a live test of Trending Topics in the United States after establishing measures to limit divisive political discussions. Named "Today's Topics," the feature aims to foster broader-interest conversations within the app. Trending topics will be determined by AI, with some customization to align with Community Guidelines. Meta hopes this will enhance Threads' appeal, recognizing the importance of real-time social engagement, particularly in events like live TV shows and sports. However, Meta is also making political content opt-in by default to curb divisive debates, a move that may draw criticism from free speech advocates. Despite potential concerns about censorship, Meta prioritizes user preferences for positive content over contentious discussions. While political topics will be eligible for display in Trending Topics, the opt-out default may limit their visibility. The Threads team has been developing this feature for some time, aiming to strike a balance between engagement and content moderation. However, this strategy might challenge Threads' growth as it competes with platforms like Twitter known for real-time discussions.