Meta’s Threads, often billed as an alternative to apps like Twitter, remains a poor source of breaking news. Its algorithm mixes old and new posts, and the trending topics feature is laughably limited. But a new test offers a glimmer of hope for those wanting a more relevant feed.
Threads now trials a search filter allowing users to sort by recency, as seen in a screenshot shared by user Daniel Rodriguez and confirmed by Threads head Adam Mosseri. “We’re starting to test this with a small number of people so it’s easier to find relevant search results in real time,” Mosseri explains.
While this sounds positive, Threads users have long complained about the lack of chronological search when seeking timely updates. Filtering by “recent” isn’t the same as chronological, but it should help surface fresher content.
The real question: Will Meta restrict this feature? It appears usable for specific communities like “NBA Threads” – a space Mosseri himself promotes. But Mosseri’s been openly hostile towards “hard news” in the past. Threads has also frustrated users by removing political content and blocking searches for “sensitive” topics, even when posts don’t violate platform rules.
This move could be a step forward for Threads, or it could be a limited fix designed to appease certain communities while maintaining strict control over the flow of information across the broader app.
