Threads is working on a community groups feature

Threads is working on a new community feature that will seemingly allow users to group together around particular topics and interests, TechCrunch reports. Developer Chris Messina spotted references to “Loops” in the code for Threads’ latest app update, which vaguely describes something similar to the “Communities” feature on X or even subreddits.

The code mentions things like the ability to join and leave a Loop community, and giving it a name and bio. The discovery builds upon sleuthing done earlier by developer and established leaker Alessandro Paluzzi, who found examples showing what the Loops feature might look like inside the Threads app, including “a shortcut to the composer and the home header.” One screenshot shows a speech bubble icon — identified by Paluzzi as the Loops button — next to the notifications bell at the top right of the app.

Details about Loops are thin, and Meta’s lips are sealed — in a statement to TechCrunch, an unidentified Instagram spokesperson said the feature was “in early development” and is not being tested internally or externally “at this time.” 

It isn’t clear how Loops will work as Threads doesn’t use traditional hashtags, instead allowing users to tag their posts with a single topic or phrase, such as “Tech Threads” or “Sports Threads.” These can be pretty generalized though, so Loops might make it easier to follow and interact with more specific topics when (or if) it does roll out.