Threads has recently introduced a new feature that displays real-time scores for in-progress sporting events, starting with NBA games. This addition aims to enhance real-time engagement on the platform, especially for sports enthusiasts. By searching for a sports team-related tag, users can now view a new in-stream panel showcasing live scores from the team’s latest match. Tapping on a team logo also reveals scores from their most recent game or upcoming match. While this is a positive development, there is a crucial flaw in the new setup: the posts under the panel are not displayed by most recent. This limitation reflects Threads’ broader reluctance to enable real-time discovery due to concerns about spam and misinformation.
Threads’ CEO, Adam Mosseri, has emphasized the platform’s commitment to fostering a positive environment similar to Twitter’s original vision. This approach includes cautious management of features like Trending Topics to prevent the spread of questionable content. However, this strategy may hinder Threads’ ability to compete with X in key topic areas such as sports, music, and other popular categories. X’s extensive user base, particularly fans of sports stars and musicians, presents a challenge for Threads to attract and retain users who rely on X for real-time updates and discussions. Given X’s dominance in providing up-to-the-minute news and engagement, Threads faces an uphill battle in becoming the go-to platform for these communities.
Despite X’s claims of sustained growth and high user engagement, recent reports indicate that the platform has not added any new daily active users in over a year. In contrast, Threads has steadily increased its user base, reaching 130 million monthly users within 8 months of its launch. While Threads’ growth rate has slowed, the platform has the critical mass necessary to build momentum and potentially challenge X’s real-time updates. However, the key to Threads’ success lies in enabling real-time discovery and engagement, a feature that currently sets X apart as the go-to destination for breaking news and updates.
Threads’ opportunity to put pressure on X’s market dominance lies in its ability to tap into popular X communities and offer real-time updates. While X excels in delivering immediate news and fostering engagement around trending topics, Threads has the potential to carve out a niche by enabling in-the-moment interactions. As Threads aims to position itself as a significant player in the social media landscape, the platform must prioritize real-time engagement to draw users away from X and establish itself as a compelling alternative.
Threads’ recent foray into displaying real-time sports scores is a step in the right direction towards enhancing user engagement. However, the platform must address its limitations in real-time discovery and cultivate a strategy to compete with X effectively. By leveraging its existing user base and focusing on enabling instant interactions, Threads has the potential to challenge X’s dominance and emerge as a viable contender in the realm of real-time updates and discussions.