Social media has always thrived on brevity. From Twitter’s original 140-character limit to today’s quick-scrolling feeds, platforms have relied on concise text to keep posts engaging and easy to read. But Meta’s Threads is challenging that norm. While the app still enforces its original 500-character limit, it has introduced a new Text Attachments feature that allows users to share posts up to 10,000 characters long.
Unlike standard posts, these extended messages appear as expandable media, keeping the main feed clean while giving creators space to share longer thoughts. Writers, journalists, and other creatives can now draft detailed updates, essays, or narratives directly within Threads, blending the speed of social media with the depth of long-form content.
Read More: Instagram Rolls Out iPad App Optimized for Larger Displays
The New Feature: Text Attachments
Threads originally launched with a 500-character limit per post, a cap still in place today. Now, Meta has introduced Text Attachments, a feature that allows users to add messages up to 10,000 characters long the equivalent of roughly 1,500 words.
Unlike standard posts, these long-form attachments don’t clutter the feed. Instead, they appear as expandable media, similar to photos or videos, allowing readers to click through only if they want the full story.
How It Works
When drafting a post, users will now notice a notepad icon between the GIF and “More” buttons. Tapping it opens a simple text editor where you can write directly or paste content from elsewhere.
The editor supports basic formatting, including:
- Bold
- Italics
- Underlining
Strikethrough
You can also embed links within the main post, making it easier to share previews, teasers, or external articles.
Why It Matters for Creators
Meta highlights that Text Attachments are especially valuable for writers, journalists, and creatives who want to share in-depth content without overwhelming the feed. By posting a preview and linking out, creators can direct followers to full-length work while sparking conversation within Threads.
In Meta’s words:
“This gives people more room to express themselves and start conversations — and helps their community discover their work wherever it lives.”
Balancing Depth with Simplicity
The move strikes a balance: allowing users to expand their thoughts far beyond 500 characters while keeping the main feed digestible and easy to scroll.
For context, the feature lets users share posts longer than many blog articles, offering space for commentary, essays, or detailed updates — all within the Threads ecosystem.
A Brief History of Character Limits
Character restrictions in social media aren’t new. Twitter’s original 140-character cap was based on the SMS standard of 160 characters, with 20 characters reserved for usernames. This design choice stemmed from the belief of Friedhelm Hillebrand, a German inventor, who argued that most meaningful communication could be kept short.
Now, decades later, Meta is flipping that philosophy on its head — giving users freedom to go long, while still respecting the attention economy of social feeds.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Text Attachments on Threads?
Text Attachments are a new feature that lets users add long-form messages up to 10,000 characters to their posts. These attachments appear as expandable media in the feed, keeping posts concise while allowing detailed content.
Do Text Attachments replace the 500-character limit?
No. The 500-character limit for standard posts remains. Text Attachments simply provide an option to expand your content beyond the main post.
How do I create a Text Attachment?
When drafting a post, click the notepad icon between the GIF and “More” buttons. You can write directly in the editor or paste text from another source.
Can I format text in a Text Attachment?
Yes. The editor supports bold, italics, underlining, and strikethroughs, allowing basic formatting for clarity and emphasis.
Can I include links?
Links can be added to the main post itself, but not inside the Text Attachment. This allows you to share previews and direct readers to external content.
Who benefits most from this feature?
Writers, journalists, and creatives who want to share longer updates, essays, or narratives without overwhelming the feed.
Will this clutter my feed?
No. Text Attachments are expandable, meaning the feed remains clean while still offering the option to read longer content.
Conclusion
Threads’ new Text Attachments feature marks a significant step toward blending the speed of social media with the depth of long-form content. By allowing posts up to 10,000 characters, Meta gives creators the freedom to share detailed thoughts, essays, or narratives without cluttering the main feed. This feature benefits writers, journalists, and everyday users alike, offering a middle ground between quick updates and comprehensive storytelling.
