Making Threads a little better
In July 2023 Instagram released their new app called Threads as an opponent of Twitter, after a week 50% of the Threads users deleted the app. Why? I decided to understand the user as a UX/UI designer.
Why I chose Threads
It's hard not to hear about Threads that has been creating an event since the day it hit the market. After a week I started to hear a lot of complaints from the environment about Threads. I rolled up my sleeves and decided to figure this out.
Talking to Users
I determined that my target user must have used Twitter before, because it would be a great opportunity to compare the expectations of the user with it.
By focusing on the user, I aimed to directly address the pain points they encountered. I understand that user painpoints are related to privacy, usability, and missing features. For example, no hashtags in posts was absurd for some of the users.
I made my research, then downloaded every page’s screenshots of the Threads and.... first thing that I came across
Why do I have to log in only with my Insta?
You can only log in to Threads with your existing Instagram account, OK we get it Instagram its your side app to take the throne from Twitter or should I say “X”. But isn’t it better if I can open an independent account?
I also looked at other Sign In pages of popular platforms to further my research on what a useful Sign In page is comprised of. Some takeaways of what made them successful included: Multiple login options, Creating account button, Company logo, User name and Password inputs.
Starting with questions
While I was navigating through the Threads I started to explore more, then I realized something else
Why do I have to switch back to Instagram for chatting?
I hope that next update includes “in app” chatting option because I believe that it is essential to have chat screen as a social media platform. I couldn’t hold myself and designed my own chatting page for Threads. I created a list of ‘How Might We…’ questions to help me better align our user’s tasks and goals:
1. How might we provide an experience that is engaging and valuable to my users?
2. How might we allow them to access their in-app chatting through their mobile devices?
User survey feedback
I sent out a survey to my users to quickly inquire what should be added or removed from Threads. The purpose of this was to discover potential quick wins on simple improvements that could be executed quickly.
Another fact about Threads is I can not access to read or use hashtags in this app. — Response from an user survey
Some of the feedback we got back was:
"There is no deleting option for my account Threads app want me to delete my Instagram to get rid of my Threads data."
Deactivating but not deleting?
Another fact that takes us on a little tour to the Instagram. If you want to remove all of your data from Threads you need to delete your Instagram account.
Threads do not have desktop screen designs so I designed "Home Screen", "Profile Screen", and "Messages Screen"
Home Screen
Profile Screen
Messages Screen
Challenges and Compromises
One notable challenge was reconciling the desire to provide a unique user experience with the need to address user concerns that led to app deletions. The compromise of not allowing account deletion raises questions about data privacy versus user autonomy. These challenges and compromises underscore the complexity of redefining an app's identity and features while retaining user trust and ensuring a seamless user experience.
In one version, I wanted to keep the threads inside Instagram instead of switching accounts. For example, when a user enters the Explore Page, it would be divided into two sections: when the user clicks on the grid icon, it shows Instagram posts, and when the user clicks on the threads icon, it switches to trending threads.
The consequences of all our actions on Threads lead us back to Instagram. I understand that the Threads app is nothing without Instagram, so here is my solution...
Next Steps
There are still improvements that can be made. User needs to switch accounts smoothly or Treads need to somehow be inside of Instagram. But for the users that do not want to use Threads in Instagram, they must have an option to "Turn off Threads" so we can hide the Threads icon from their home screen. And still we are taking our user on another journey to Threads, in further steps Instagram explore page can be designed to have Threads inside it.
Last but not least I gathered the screens that I redesigned and made prototype
