If Twitter is Pat’s, then Threads is Geno’s: A Philly cheesesteak explanation of the new app

Another app has entered the chat. So what does that mean to Philadelphians? We’ll explain in familiar terms.

This week, Threads — Meta’s clap back to Twitter — launched publicly. Within a day, the social media app saw tens of millions of sign-ups.

Threads is a text-based app that tech experts have referred to as the potential “Twitter killer.” The profiles are linked to users’ Instagram accounts, streamlining the onboarding process and allowing users to sign up and instantly have followers, compared with other apps where they’re starting from scratch. Its interface mirrors Twitter in many ways but without all the bells and whistles.

“Threads is different from all these other apps for one reason,” said Alex Pearlman, a Philly suburban TikToker known as @Pearlmania500. “It is based on an existing social media following ... On other apps, you have to wait for discoverability. I didn’t have to wait for any of that here. It’s different.”

Still, the app’s emergence and popularity is just the latest saga in a longtime face-off between Twitter owner Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg, owner of Meta (the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp).

Last month, the tech bro billionaires announced they would be up for a cage match, spurring from Zuckerberg’s statements during an internal Meta meeting that Threads would be a “sanely run” version of Twitter.

Threads is the latest — and by far most publicly successful — challenger to Twitter, which has faced a litany of missteps since Musk took over the platform in October, including drastic changes to content moderation and app features, which impacted the user experience.

In many ways, the rivalry between Musk, Zuck, and their respective products mirrors an infamous Philly rivalry: the cheesesteak tourist trap at Ninth and Passyunk.

Launched in 2006, Twitter was a pioneer app that let people connect over trending topics and shared interests with a character limit. Until recently, it’s been an easy way for people to get and share news. It’s less diary-focused than Facebook, less image-focused than Instagram, and less fun than TikTok.

Experts say it’s been in a downward spiral since Musk’s takeover, prompting a slew of copycat apps that were oftentimes too niche and not widely adapted the way Threads has been.

The platform face-off is prompting some digital users to choose sides between Twitter and Threads. And it’s already starting to get ugly.

On Thursday, Twitter sent Meta a cease-and-desist letter that accused Threads of using Twitter’s intellectual property and poaching former employees to create the rival app, according to multiple news outlets.

In Philly terms: Twitter vs. Threads is basically just a general audience’s Pat’s vs. Geno’s.

Like Twitter, Pat’s came first. Then came Threads and Geno’s. They each say their app — or cheesesteak — is better. Locals don’t really want either, but they will begrudgingly fold when drunk enough.

The apps — and sandwiches — look alike to the untrained eye. Their offerings and toppings are similar enough, though their preparation is different.

Other alternative apps — like Mastodon — had their place. But they were clunky and hard to use for the less tech-savvy. For that reason, we can liken it to Jim’s: solid but (until they reopen) inaccessible.

Angelo’s is obviously TikTok. They stay away from the rivalry and everyone likes them.

A whole bunch. Since Threads is integrated with Instagram accounts, a bunch of locals have already made the great migration.

Here’s our non-exhaustive list:

Sports teams

Influencers, personalities, and content creators

Celebrities, bands, and musicians

Brands and businesses

Food

For starters, you need to have an Instagram account. Using that login, you can automatically flow in your existing profile photo, bio, and followers.

It’s also worth noting that — at least for now — if you delete your Threads account, you also delete your Instagram. The two are linked, for better or worse, and Threads automatically allows users to toggle from their Threads to their Instagram profile (so maybe don’t use your secret or cringey burner account).

Like Twitter and the others, users can share short, text-based posts, along with photos, videos, and GIFs (but hopefully you’re only using GIFs ironically).

Ultimately — like tourist-heavy cheesesteak joints — Threads is familiar, and maybe a little icky. But, especially when hungry, we’re not above consuming it.