Meta's social media platform, Threads, is introducing a new feature that allows users to follow curated collections of accounts, similar to Bluesky's starter packs. The feature, announced by Instagram boss Adam Mosseri, is currently being tested and will be available to users when signing up for Threads and within the For You feed.

The curated collections will be built around various topics, including basketball, fashion, food, books, and more, according to Meta spokesperson Alec Booker. A "handful" of Threads community leaders have curated and shared the initial collections, with plans to iterate on the feature based on user feedback and expand its functionality to more users soon.

This move by Meta is seen as a response to the growing popularity of Bluesky, which has been gaining traction since its launch. In fact, Meta has been rapidly updating Threads' features, including the introduction of custom feeds, in an effort to stay competitive. Despite this, Threads still has a significant user base advantage, with 35 million signups in November, compared to Bluesky's 25 million users.

The introduction of curated collections on Threads is likely to enhance the user experience, making it easier for users to discover and engage with content that aligns with their interests. This feature is particularly useful for new users, who may find it overwhelming to navigate the platform and find relevant accounts to follow. By providing a curated list of accounts, Threads is making it easier for users to get started and find content that resonates with them.

It's worth noting that Meta's move is not entirely novel, as Bluesky has been offering similar starter packs for some time. However, the fact that Meta is now following suit suggests that the company is taking steps to stay competitive in the social media landscape. As the platform continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how users respond to this new feature and whether it will help Threads to maintain its user base advantage.

In the broader context, the introduction of curated collections on Threads highlights the ongoing battle for dominance in the social media space. As platforms continue to innovate and iterate, users are likely to benefit from enhanced features and improved user experiences. However, it remains to be seen which platform will ultimately emerge as the leader in this space.