Meta’s social network Threads is currently undergoing testing for a new “Recent” filter, aimed at sorting search results based on the most recent posts.
This development, announced by Instagram head Adam Mosseri on Monday, is being rolled out as part of a “limited test” and is currently available to only a select group of users.
Mosseri highlighted that the purpose of this test is to facilitate easier access to relevant search results in real-time. In response to a user’s inquiry, he explained, “We’re starting to test this with a small number of people, so it’s easier to find relevant search results in real-time.”
Users participating in the test have reported seeing both “Top” and “Recent” filters on the search results screen. While acknowledging that the “Recent” filter is not strictly chronological, they noted that it provides a more suitable option than the “Top” filter for viewing the latest posts.
This recent development follows an earlier incident this year when Threads inadvertently introduced the option to sort search results by recency. At the time, the company clarified that it was an “internal prototype available for a small number of people.”
In a statement last November, Mosseri had previously cautioned about the absence of a real-time search feature in Threads, citing concerns about potential misuse. He explained that allowing users to access a comprehensive list of posts containing specific words in chronological order could lead to abuse by spammers and other malicious actors.
Mosseri emphasized the challenges of moderating such content and underscored the importance of maintaining a balance between user safety and content accessibility.
