Meta is testing a new “text attachment” feature on Threads that lets users share long-form, formatted text posts directly on the app.
TLDR:
- Threads is testing a feature allowing users to post long-form text using “text attachments”
- Posts can include formatted content like paragraphs, bold, italics, and headings
- The feature is currently in testing on iOS and accessible to all users, not just premium ones
- It aims to compete with platforms like X’s Articles and attract creators from blogs and newsletters
What Happened?
Threads, Meta’s microblogging platform, is testing a new feature that lets users attach long-form text to their posts. The tool, dubbed “text attachment,” enables formatted writing such as paragraphs, bold and italic text, and aims to replace clunky workarounds like screenshots or long post threads. It appears in a clean, expandable gray box within a post.
Threads Wants to Be More Than Microblogging
Meta is clearly expanding Threads beyond its microblogging roots. With the new “text attachment” feature currently being tested on iOS, users can write more substantial content directly on the platform. This includes not just longer text but also structured formatting like:
- Paragraphs for better readability
- Headings for organizing ideas
- Bold and italic styles for emphasis
This could shift how users share news, personal commentary, book excerpts, or even serialized storytelling. The content appears in a clickable gray box inside a standard post, maintaining a clean look in the feed while offering depth for readers who want more.
App researcher Radu Oncescu was among the first to spot the feature and shared screenshots that revealed how the content is displayed and styled. According to Threads, users are encouraged to “attach longer text and get creative with styling tools to share deeper thoughts, news snippets, book excerpts, and more.”
🧵Threads is testing on iOS a new feature, “Attach longer text”. pic.twitter.com/KO3AogjHsi
— Radu Oncescu (@oncescuradu) August 27, 2025
Leveling Up Against the Competition
Threads isn’t alone in targeting long-form content. Its main rival, X (formerly Twitter), already offers a similar capability through its “Articles” feature. However, X restricts that option to Premium subscribers, while Threads’ version is currently free to all users.
There are some limitations. At this stage, Threads’ long-form tool supports text only, with no embedded media or links. On X, by contrast, users can include multimedia within their Articles. But Meta could add these capabilities later based on user feedback.
Here’s how the platforms compare:
Feature | Threads (Testing) | X (Articles) |
|---|---|---|
Availability | All users (during test) | Premium only |
Character Limit | Unlimited via attachment | 25,000 characters |
Multimedia Support | Not yet | Yes |
Formatting | Yes | Yes |
A Strategic Push for Creators and Writers
The goal is obvious. Meta wants to attract writers, journalists, and content creators who have previously used platforms like Substack, Medium, or personal blogs. By removing the friction of linking out or posting screenshots, Threads becomes a more seamless publishing platform.
This comes as Threads has added other major features recently, such as direct messaging (DMs), custom feeds, and fediverse integration, all aimed at carving a distinct identity from Instagram.
Threads has also grown rapidly. Meta reported over 400 million monthly active users, while X still leads with more than 600 million, according to past statements by former CEO Linda Yaccarino.
Still, Threads has not been without controversy. The app faced privacy concerns and regulatory hurdles in Europe before launching in the region in late 2023.
What TechKV Thinks?
I really like where this is going. Threads has been criticized for being just another Instagram extension, but this move shows Meta is serious about building a writer-friendly space. Giving people a way to write longer, stylized content directly in-app without jumping through hoops is a smart play. It gives them a shot at wooing bloggers, newsletter writers, and even casual storytellers.
The clean, clickable format means it won’t ruin the scroll experience either. And the fact that it’s available to everyone during the test and not locked behind a paywall makes it feel genuinely community-driven. If Meta adds multimedia support next, Threads might finally have its breakout moment in the creator world.
