Threads Introduces Native Instagram Story Sharing to Accelerate User Growth

20.02.2026

Meta's microblogging platform has introduced a streamlined integration feature enabling users to share content directly to Instagram Stories without exiting the application. This strategic enhancement aims to leverage Instagram's extensive user base to drive further adoption of the Twitter alternative.

The social media giant announced the new functionality on Thursday, allowing users to preview how their posts will appear on Instagram Stories directly within the native interface. While cross-platform sharing capabilities existed previously, this update eliminates the need for app switching, creating a more seamless content distribution workflow.

Leveraging Cross-Platform Synergies

Since its initial deployment in July 2023, the platform has strategically utilized Meta's ecosystem to accelerate user acquisition. The onboarding process requires Instagram authentication, automatically populating user profiles with existing credentials including:

• Username and biographical information
• Profile imagery
• Verification status
• Follower networks

This integration enabled users to instantly replicate their Instagram social graphs, with non-users receiving notifications about new connections.

Growth Strategy and Market Performance

Meta has consistently implemented cross-platform promotional strategies to expand the service's reach, including surfacing popular content on Facebook and Instagram feeds. The company also deployed bidirectional cross-posting functionality between Instagram, Facebook, and its microblogging platform.

These initiatives have yielded significant results. According to market intelligence provider Similarweb, the platform now exceeds X (formerly Twitter) in daily mobile active users, though X maintains dominance in web-based traffic. The user base has demonstrated exponential growth, scaling from 200 million monthly active users in August 2024 to over 400 million monthly active users by August 2025. As of October, the platform reported 150 million daily active users.

This latest feature represents Meta's continued commitment to reducing friction in content distribution across its platform ecosystem while capitalizing on network effects to drive user engagement and platform adoption.

Tags: Instagram Meta social media integration threads user growth

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