Threads tests popular topics, but with some quirks

2024-02-12 22:57:48

Os trending topicsone of the most popular features of X (formerly Twitter), appears to be finally landing on Threads — but not in the way we are used to.

According to Mark Zuckerbergos today’s top topics (or today’s popular topicsin free translation) have already begun to be tested in the United States and should be launched in other countries (and for other languages) in the future.

Unlike X functionality, which can be almost completely automatic and formed directly from terms mentioned on the platform, Threads threads will be based on Meta’s artificial intelligence systems.

Therefore, instead of random terms, like the ones we are used to seeing on Elon Musk’s social network, in Threads we will truly have topics with titles that try to summarize a certain topic in a few words.

But don’t think that these themes will be deliberately chosen by the platform. As informed to TechCrunchthey will be based on what people are engaging in — although Meta will apparently have greater control over this.

The algorithm will consider metrics such as the number of people talking about a given topic and the social network will have a team of experts to ensure that topics do not violate the social network’s guidelines.

One little problem…

Apparently, a decision by Meta to further restrict content linked to politics on its social networks has been negatively received by users — you can quickly see this by reading the responses highlighted in Zuckerberg’s post.

This leads to concern about the possibility of the company restricting the matter also in today’s top topics — although Meta told the site that political content could also become topics on the platform.

We will only remove political topics if they violate our Community Guidelines or other applicable integrity policies. Today’s topics are intended to reflect timely and relevant topics in the app and are not personalized recommendations.

It remains to be seen how much these guidelines will influence what will and will not appear in these most popular topics…