Have you ever wished you could carry over your friends and connections from Twitter to Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, etc., and vice versa? Social media today is built on proprietary or closed software protocols, meaning users cannot port information from one to another.
Threads gathered a record number of users in its first few days of launch, thanks to the ease of porting contacts from Instagram. Open software protocols play out in other areas like the Android OS, browsers like Firefox, etc. Even registering on a betting exchange like Betdaq Exchange gives you access to other exchanges and bookmakers.
Could Threads signal a shift in social media technology as we know it today? Let’s find out why this dream might become a reality soon.
What Threads Did Right
Users on Twitter who opened Threads accounts had to start from scratch. They had to create new profiles and search for their Twitter contacts on the platform. It was like going back in time for some, but the effort might be worth it.
This wasn’t the case with Instagram users who already had large followings and followed others. They could quickly port their Instagram profile and the accounts they follow to Threads.
That simplified the transition, giving them a head start. However, they still had to create content from scratch.
Threads is not an open-source protocol that other social media founders could build on top of. Yet it shows us that linking social media platforms is possible. Trust us: people who want to build an app like TikTok will jump on that.
What is an Open-source protocol?
This term refers to the source code of the software. We don’t see that part, but it controls how the software or application works. Any improvements through adding or removing features are made to the source code.
Hence, an open-source protocol refers to the source code that is free for anyone to use. Proficient users can modify and enhance it to fit an intended purpose.
Open-source protocols are often the products of collaborations. They offer the following benefits:
- They are free for use by anyone
- Proficient users can modify and enhance it before deployment
- Its availability to the public makes it easily scalable, as more people can access and work on it
- Migration is easy
Pulling Down the Walled Gardens of Proprietary Social Media
Facebook currently has the largest number of users. However, you cannot port your profile to YouTube or Twitter. You must create new profiles and start from scratch to build momentum.
If more companies follow the path to open-source protocols, we will have a unified identity across many platforms. Switching will be seamless, allowing you to have the same momentum on multiple platforms.
Why Proprietary Social Media May Never Go Away
Using proprietary protocols allows these platforms to establish market dominance. That is something many companies are unwilling to let go of.
The thought of migrating to another platform becomes haunting because of the work involved. It can be challenging for those who make a living from social media.
Final Thoughts
Threads is headed in a positive direction, although it is not open-source. For now, companies do not see how they’ll benefit financially by running open-source programs for social media.
We may see ecosystems spring up in the near future. Meta is on its way there with its current offerings: WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, and Threads. Notwithstanding, there’s still work to be done.
