Creators who get paid for posting on Threads also don't understand its algorithm.
Some creators are earning thousands of dollars monthly by posting on Threads thanks to Meta's bonus program, even though they themselves don't fully understand how the algorithm works.
Meta is incentivizing numerous creators to post on Threads, a platform of the company, through a bonus program that was launched exclusively in April. Although few details have been shared about how this system works, several creators have shared their experiences and strategies to meet the required participation criteria.
Creators are part of different tiers within the program, which influences the bonuses they can receive and the metrics their posts must meet. Generally, those participating in this program have a solid follower base on Instagram, with a professional account on the platform being a requirement.
Audrey Woulard, a photographer with over 25,000 followers on Instagram and around 5,500 on Threads, has taken the opportunity to experiment with her content. Her approach focuses on responding to other users' posts, aiming to have at least 60 of her replies reach 750 views each to qualify for a monthly bonus of $500. She specializes in polarizing content that fosters conversation while avoiding the trap of content that seeks engagement without substance.
The nature of the Threads algorithm makes recommended posts predominant, leading to a somewhat random experience in many users' feeds, where trivial posts often spark a lot of discussion. Additionally, this has created a space for some users to attempt to manipulate the algorithm through less original content, seeking to provoke reactions.
However, for Woulard, Meta's focus on fostering "public conversations" has benefited her strategy, allowing her to maximize her bonuses simply by interacting on Threads. She finds this way of generating income very straightforward, concluding that she can reply to several posts in just 30 minutes from home.
Meta seeks to leverage Instagram's influence to promote Threads, which already has 200 million users. However, this transition has also presented challenges, according to social media specialist Matt Navarra. Creating engaging content on a text-based platform requires a different set of skills, which could be challenging for some creators.
Josh Kirkham, an artist known for his Bob Ross-style painting videos, has been able to earn up to $5,000 a month by sharing clips from his live streams. However, he notes that it is difficult to predict which videos will be popular, despite having a considerable following on Threads.
Another creator, Logan Reavis, expresses that the Threads algorithm seems to be more favorable for photographers compared to Instagram. However, she faces the challenges of the algorithm, which often prioritizes content that seeks to achieve a lot of interactions.
As Meta tries to make Threads an app that attracts a billion users, the company has yet to clearly define its identity within the social media ecosystem, creating uncertainty even among the creators who are being incentivized to share content on the platform.
