To post on Threads, tap New post at the bottom of the app, type your text and add photos, a GIF, a topic, a poll or a location if you want, then tap Post in the bottom right. You can attach up to 10 photos or videos, and if your thread runs past 500 characters, Threads adds another post to the thread automatically.
Posting on Threads is simple, but a few rules aren't obvious until they catch you out: the character limit that quietly splits your post, the single topic tag, and an edit window that closes after a quarter of an hour.
Here's the whole process from Instagram's help centre, which covers Threads too.
Post a thread, step by step
- Tap New post at the bottom of the app.
- Type what you want to say.
- Add extras if you want them: Add from gallery for photos or videos (up to 10 items), GIF, Tag for a topic, Poll, or Location.
- Tap Add to thread if you want to write a follow-on post.
- Choose who can reply and quote by tapping Anyone can reply and quote in the bottom left.
- Tap Post in the bottom right. A progress bar shows at the top while it uploads.
Once it's live, tap Share below the post if you want to send it to Instagram or another app. Who can see your thread follows your profile's privacy setting, which I've covered in how to make Threads private.
The 500-character split
Instagram's help page says that if your thread contains more than 500 characters, another thread is added automatically. That's handy for longer thoughts, but it means a wall of text becomes a chain of posts. Read the preview before you tap Post, and break it yourself at a natural point so the first post works on its own.
Topic tags: one per post
Threads uses topics rather than piles of hashtags. Instagram's rules are tight:
- You can include one topic per post.
- Tap Tag, or type #, then enter a topic or choose a trending one.
- A topic can be up to 50 characters, and it can include spaces and special characters.
- You don't need the # symbol, but you can use it.
- The topic shows in blue, and tapping it shows people search results for posts on that topic.
One tag means you have to pick. Choose the topic your ideal reader would search, not the broadest word you can think of.
Who can reply and quote
While drafting, tap Anyone can reply and quote to limit it to Profiles you follow or Mentioned only. You can change it after posting too: from your profile, tap Options on the post, then Reply options, and choose under Who can reply and quote.
| Setting | Who can reply and quote |
|---|---|
| Anyone | Everyone who can see your thread |
| Profiles you follow | Only people you follow |
| Mentioned only | Only people you mention in the post |
Instagram adds a few rules. Changing the setting doesn't delete existing replies or quotes, it only applies to the post you change, and limiting replies also limits who can reuse media in that post. If you've turned on sharing to the fediverse, a post with limited replies won't be shared there.
The 15-minute edit window
You can edit the text of a post or reply, but only within 15 minutes of posting. Only the text can change: you can't add attachments or remove ones already there. If anyone likes, replies, reposts or quotes before you finish, the post shows an Edited label. After the window closes, your only option is to delete it.
Deleting has its own catch. Instagram says that if someone has replied to your thread and you delete it, their reply isn't deleted.
Fediverse sharing, briefly
If you've turned on sharing to the fediverse, Threads waits 15 minutes before sending your post to other servers, so your edits can land first. Posts with a poll or limited replies aren't shared to other servers, and Threads shows a message at the top of your draft when that applies.
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What to post first
If you've just joined, don't start with a promotion. Three posts that tend to work for business owners: a strong opinion about your industry, a question your customers always ask with your short answer, and a behind-the-scenes moment from your week. Each invites replies, and replies are what Threads is built around. Use the poll option when you'd like a quick answer from your audience rather than a long discussion, and save the location tag for events or posts about a place, such as a shop, a venue or a talk you're giving.
A posting routine that works
- Write the first line as if it's the only one people will read.
- Keep it under the 500-character split unless you mean to write a chain.
- Add one specific topic.
- Check the post in the first few minutes and fix typos while you still can.
If you're new to the app, it's worth setting up your profile first: getting verified on Threads and how Threads compares with Twitter are good places to start.
My advice
Write short, pick one good topic and reread before the 15 minutes run out. Threads rewards conversation, so end posts with something people can answer, and keep replies open to Anyone unless you've got a reason not to. You can always tighten it later on a single post.
Frequently asked questions
How do I post on Threads?
Tap New post at the bottom, type your post, add any photos, GIF, topic, poll or location, then tap Post in the bottom right.
What's the character limit on Threads?
Instagram says that if your thread contains more than 500 characters, another thread is added automatically.
How many photos can I post on Threads?
You can attach up to 10 photos or videos to a post.
Can I edit a Threads post?
Yes, but only the text and only within 15 minutes of posting. After that you can only delete it.
How many topics can I add to a Threads post?
One. A topic can be up to 50 characters and doesn't need the # symbol.
Can I stop people replying to my Threads post?
You can limit replies and quotes to Profiles you follow or Mentioned only, when drafting or later from Reply options.
