Adam MosseriJan 5, 2024
From this week’s ask me anything on Instagram about recent low quality Threads recommendations. We’re on it.
Show threadBob WymanJan 5, 2024

@mosseri
It would be best if Threads recommended nothing.

If I haven't followed someone, I shouldn't see posts from them. The only time I should see content from someone I haven't followed is when that content is a reply to a post from someone I do follow. (Ideally, I would be able to optionally mute or hide even replies from those I don't follow.)

**The less Threads does, the better it will be.**

(Note: I follow none of the scantily clad women whose pictures now fill my Threads feed.)

Show threadTim Erickson, @stpaultim

@bobwyman @mosseri

It should be an option for a user to only get posts in their feed from people they follow.

But, it's pretty clear that many people have left Mastodon for platforms like Threads, because they would like content recommended to them.

I believe that is a vaid choice and there is nothing wrong with a platform providing that choice to users if they want it.

Jan 5, 2024 at 11:55pmWeb
Show threadBob WymanJan 6, 2024

@stpaultim @mosseri

Threads does not provide their users with the choice to turn off recommendations. They should do so.

Ideally, they should also support alternative recommendation providers. If customers do value recommendations, then I, or anyone, should be able to participate in a competitive marketplace for recommendation providers.

Show threadTim Erickson, @stpaultimJan 6, 2024

@bobwyman @mosseri

I'm sorry, I must have misunderstood your comment. It appeared to me that you were advocating that Threads NEVER recommend content.

It now seems that we agree that both options are nice.

Show threadsheislaurenceJan 6, 2024
@stpaultim @bobwyman @mosseri i don’t believe “people leave Mastodon because they want Threads to recommend content to them”, if they engage with Threads it’s because it has critical mass. My only reason to support federation is to reconnect with people I lost by moving here and I certainly don’t want *anything”* recommended to me. Seeing Instagram do this is *exhausting* and I would 100% block Threads altogether if it is to be hounded by toxic-down-your-throat-cross-selling-bollocks
Show threadTim Erickson, @stpaultimJan 6, 2024

@sheislaurence @bobwyman @mosseri

People leave Mastodon for lots of reasons. I would never suggest that the primary reason is the lack of recommendations. However, I believe what people have told me.

Friends of mine have told me that they prefer platforms like Threads, because it provides more interesting content than they are getting from Mastodon.

This is due in part to the fact that Threads recommends content. This is especialy helpful for new users.

Show threadRainer MüllerJan 7, 2024
@stpaultim @bobwyman @mosseri That is already an option. Users on Threads can choose between the "For You" or "Following" timelines.