Meta’s social media app Threads is set to take a big step forward with the introduction of a new long-form text sharing feature. The upcoming tool, called “text attachments,” will allow users to attach blocks of extended content to their posts.
Confirmed by Meta to TechCrunch, this feature aims to make it easier for users to share longer updates, essays, or excerpts without breaking them into multiple posts. With this move, Threads hopes to offer creators a more versatile platform while competing directly with X (formerly Twitter) and other publishing apps.
Currently, Threads users can post updates of up to 500 characters, along with links, photos, carousels, and videos of up to five minutes. Until now, those wishing to share longer thoughts had to rely on workarounds, such as uploading screenshots from note-taking apps.
The new feature changes that. With text attachments, users will be able to:
Add long-form text blocks directly to their posts
Display the content inside a grey preview box, which can be tapped to expand
Format the text with basic styling tools, making posts look more structured and readable
This makes the platform more flexible, especially for creators who prefer text-based updates.
The addition of text attachments is seen as a significant advantage for writers, journalists, and content creators. Instead of redirecting their audience to external blogs or platforms, they can now share essay-style content within Threads itself.
This development positions Threads as a possible alternative to Substack and other long-form publishing platforms. By keeping readers engaged within the app, Meta is strengthening its ecosystem while giving creators a broader reach without external links.
The move also signals Meta’s intent to go head-to-head with X (formerly Twitter), which already offers long-form publishing through its Articles feature. However, there are some important distinctions:
Accessibility: X’s Articles feature is limited to Premium subscribers, while Threads plans to make its text attachment feature available to all users for free.
Media Integration: For now, Threads only supports plain text, while X allows images and videos within long-form posts. This could change later as Meta expands functionality.
Preview Design: Threads will show long posts as expandable boxes, ensuring that timelines remain uncluttered while still giving access to extended content.
This approach gives Threads an inclusive edge, allowing more users to experiment with long-form updates without paywalls.
The text attachment tool is only one of several updates Meta has been working on to expand Threads’ appeal. Other recent and upcoming features include:
Direct Messaging (DMs) for private conversations
Fediverse integration, enabling cross-platform interactions
Custom feeds to personalize user timelines
AI enhancements to improve discovery and engagement
Together, these updates demonstrate Meta’s commitment to evolving Threads into a multi-dimensional social platform rather than just a Twitter alternative.
The rise of long-form tools across social platforms reflects a shift in how users want to engage online. While quick, bite-sized posts dominate everyday conversations, creators and professionals increasingly want platforms where they can:
Share in-depth insights
Publish analysis or essays
Offer news commentary
Post creative writing or excerpts
By adding long-form support, Threads opens the door for a new type of user engagement, bridging the gap between short social updates and full-fledged blogs.
As the feature is still in development, Meta has not announced an official rollout timeline. However, the potential to expand media support (images, videos, and rich formatting) could make Threads an even stronger competitor to X and other platforms.
For now, the feature is expected to roll out gradually, with wider availability in the coming months. If successful, Threads’ long-form text tool could attract more writers, journalists, and creators to the platform, boosting its relevance in the social media landscape.
With the introduction of text attachments, Threads is positioning itself as more than just a microblogging app. The feature promises to enhance user creativity, increase engagement, and compete with rival platforms like X and Substack. For creators and everyday users alike, this marks an important step in making Threads a go-to space for both short and long-form content.