Meta Threads reaches 500 million users, launches Your Algo

Meta announced on Tuesday that its social media platform Threads has surpassed 500 million monthly active users, a significant milestone reached just before the service's third anniversary. The company also launched a new algorithmic control feature called Your Algo and expanded its Communities toolset, moves aimed at strengthening Threads' position as a major competitor to X.

The 500 million user figure represents an increase of approximately 100 million since August 2025. Company officials stated that growth is becoming more organic, with a rising number of users opening Threads directly as a standalone app rather than arriving via promotional links within Instagram or Facebook. Meta also reported a surge in engagement in parts of Asia, noting that time spent on the app is up 80% in South Korea and 130% in Japan compared to last year. The company did not disclose a current daily active user number, having last reported 150 million daily users in October.

A key product announcement accompanying the milestone is the rollout of Your Algo. This feature allows users to privately instruct the app's algorithm to show them more or less content related to specific topics for a...