Threads introduces response approval: you control comments before publication
Meta continues to refine Threads, its alternative to X (formerly Twitter), focusing on control and security of public conversations. The platform has announced two significant new features: response approvals and advanced activity feed filters.
Tools Designed To Keep Conversations Under Control
Response Approvals
This is the standout new feature. Now, when you post on Threads, you can enable a “response approval” mode.
Specifically:
- Each response will be placed in a private queue.
- You will be able to approve or ignore each comment before it goes public.
- If everything looks good (or if it’s all spam), you can approve or reject all responses with a single click.
Meta states that this feature aims to “empower users to shape their own conversations,” which is a much more proactive approach than simply limiting responses to followers.
Activity Feed Filters
Another welcome improvement: Threads now allows you to filter your activity tab to better manage notification flow.
Two filters are available:
- “Mentions only” to see only interactions where you are mentioned,
- “People followed” to focus on your close circles and ignore external noise.
These filters aim to help high-profile accounts (brands, influencers, journalists) maintain a clear view of important interactions without getting overwhelmed.
Why It Matters
Since its launch, Threads has aimed to be a quieter and safer space compared to X. But as public conversations surged, Meta needed to provide more precise moderation tools. Unlike X, where moderation relies on community systems like Community Notes or automated blocking, Threads offers manual and granular moderation.
This approach is especially appealing to:
- brands, concerned about protecting their image,
- creators, looking to avoid toxic debates,
- ordinary users, who simply want a clean feed.
“Public conversations can quickly spiral out of control. These tools help keep discussions focused on what truly matters,” emphasizes Meta in its announcement.
A Strategic Advantage Over X
Since Elon Musk’s acquisition of Twitter, many users have lamented the decline in moderation quality. Meta is seizing the opportunity to position itself as a “safe” and controlled alternative, where freedom of speech aligns with respect.
The introduction of response approvals is also a strong signal to advertisers, who seek “clean” digital environments for their campaigns.
Threads in Evolution
These new features join a series of recent updates:
- “Ghost posts” (posts that disappear automatically after 24 hours),
- Posts up to 10,000 characters long,
- Group chats,
- Thematic communities in global testing (K-pop, sports, literature, etc.).
Thus, Meta shows that Threads is no longer simply “an Instagram clone with text,” but a fully-fledged public discussion platform.
These tools may arrive a bit late, but they are essential. The ability to pre-approve responses transforms Threads into a space where discussions can be public without becoming chaotic.
In other words, Threads aims not to be the loudest network, but the most controlled.
