Threads has initiated an exciting new test that focuses on analytics for individual posts. This innovative feature will give you deeper insights into how your content is being received within the app, offering valuable guidance on what strategies are effective and which ones might need adjustment. This is a fantastic opportunity to enhance your Threads presence and grow your audience by understanding audience engagement more thoroughly.

In this example, you can now explore your performance data in detail by analyzing each individual post. You’ll gain insights into how each post has performed among followers compared to non-followers, total views, engagement metrics, and more. This level of detail allows you to tailor your content strategy based on real data rather than assumptions, making it easier to connect with your audience.

According to Threads:

“Individuals participating in the test will have the ability to sort their posts based on the highest or lowest metrics for views, likes, and replies. Furthermore, participants can view a breakdown of views and interactions (likes, replies, reposts, and quotes) by both followers and non-followers for a specific post, along with the count of new follows that originated from it.”

Previously, Threads only offered aggregated metrics for all updates within its analytics tab. This new feature aims to provide more specific insights and actionable feedback based on the performance of your unique content, allowing you to refine your strategy and engage more effectively with your audience.

According to Threads chief Adam Mosseri, this data will be crucial for those aiming to expand their Threads community.

“As your posts gain visibility among a larger audience of followers, understanding what resonates with your existing audience becomes even more vital,”

Mosseri is highlighting a recent shift in the Threads algorithm, which now prioritizes posts from accounts you follow rather than algorithmically recommended posts. This change is designed to help creators build their audience and foster community interactions, rather than simply maximizing overall user engagement by presenting users with content that the system predicts they will enjoy.

While the recommendation approach has been successful on platforms like Facebook and Instagram, where recommended Reels keep users engaged, Threads aims to create a space where creators can genuinely develop a following and ensure their content reaches those who choose to follow them. Ideally, this will encourage more frequent posting within the app, enhancing the overall Threads ecosystem.

There’s still some uncertainty about whether Threads has completely nailed this balance, but conceptually, it is shifting towards a more traditional social media feed. This contrasts with the TikTok-driven model, where content discovery relies heavily on algorithmic suggestions rather than the connections users choose to foster.

Many creators have observed that non-follower engagement tends to be significantly higher than interactions from followers, indicating a potential gap in how content reaches and resonates with different audience segments.

Historically, social platforms have leaned heavily on a small percentage of active users for engagement. For instance, on Twitter, it’s reported that 80% of users never posted or engaged at all. Therefore, Threads must focus on keeping this vital group satisfied and engaged to ensure its continued success.

Indeed, early adopters of Bluesky have noted that building a following is easier there, primarily due to its default “Following” feed, which encourages direct engagement.

This is precisely why Threads is implementing similar features; Mosseri and his team recognize that attracting and retaining this active user group is critical for the platform’s survival.

The introduction of post analytics marks a significant move in this direction, and we will observe whether this enhancement successfully engages key users and fosters a thriving community on Threads.