Meta announced Tuesday it expanded the Threads API to allow third-party apps to manage reply approvals and include text attachments in scheduled posts. According to company officials, the updates enable users to control which replies appear publicly and support enhanced content scheduling features like GIFs and spoiler tags.

The update introduces reply approvals, a feature that allows Threads users to moderate which replies become publicly visible before they appear to others, according to Meta officials. This capability, now accessible through the Threads API, enables third-party applications to manage pending replies and maintain conversation quality by filtering responses in real time. Meta described the feature as a tool for users to “set the tone of the conversation” with greater control over engagement, as reported by TechCrunch on Thursday.

The Threads Reply Management API requires specific permissions—`threads_basic`, `threads_manage_replies`, and `threads_read_replies`—and enforces a limit of 1,000 API-published replies per profile within a 24-hour period, according to Meta’s developer documentation.

Alongside reply approvals, the expanded API supports text attachments within scheduled posts, enhancing content creation options for social media managers using external platforms. These attachments can include GIFs and spoiler tags for text, images, and videos, allowing for richer and more diverse Threads content. Social Media Today highlighted that these additions facilitate integrated scheduling and posting capabilities, broadening the functionality of third-party tools.

Meta also extended developer options to pre-configure topic tags, set reply controls, and compose replies or quotes directly through the API. Developers can now embed public Threads posts on external websites without requiring an API access token, increasing the accessibility of Threads content beyond the app itself.

Further enhancements include real-time notifications for post publications, deletions, and reply management events, which improve the responsiveness of third-party applications managing Threads engagement. Analytics capabilities have been upgraded to allow searching public posts by media type or author username, and the follower threshold for profile discovery has been lowered from 1,000 to 100 followers, enabling broader access to third-party insights. Additional sorting options now allow filtering verified users or those with and without profile images, according to sources familiar with the update.

User controls have been refined with activity feed filters that now include views for replies from followed users or mentions, complementing existing filters for verified accounts, quotes, and reposts. Instagram head Adam Mosseri noted ongoing tests aimed at tuning the Threads algorithm based on topic interests, reflecting Meta’s continued efforts to optimize user experience across its platforms.

The API expansion supports Threads’ growth, which has reached approximately 400 million monthly active users, as reported by Global Dating Insights. These developments are designed to empower social media managers and developers by integrating posting, scheduling, moderation, and analytics tools into third-party platforms, according to company officials.

Meta’s announcement follows earlier API enhancements that introduced ghost posts and the ability to share Threads content to Instagram Stories via external applications. These updates collectively aim to strengthen the Threads ecosystem by enabling more robust third-party integrations, as outlined in Meta’s official release and corroborated by industry reports from TechCrunch and Social Media Today.

The company continues to refine its API offerings to accommodate the evolving needs of developers and users, positioning Threads as a more versatile platform within Meta’s social media portfolio.

Meta updated its Threads API on Tuesday to allow third-party tools to support ghost posts, spoiler tags, and cross-platform sharing, among other features. According to company officials, the enhancements aim to improve content discovery, moderation workflows, and developer integration for a broader range of users and applications.

The updated Threads API introduces several key features designed to enhance content creation and moderation through third-party tools, Meta officials said Tuesday. Among the new capabilities, ghost posts are now supported, allowing users to schedule posts that can be published without immediate visibility, according to Meta’s developer documentation. Scheduled posts also now accommodate text attachments and GIFs, expanding creative options for social media managers. Spoiler tags can be applied to text, images, and videos, providing users with greater control over content presentation. Additionally, cross-platform sharing enables direct posting of Threads content to Instagram Stories, a move aimed at broadening audience reach across Meta’s platforms.

The follower threshold for profile discovery has been lowered from 1,000 to 100 followers, facilitating broader account surfacing and making it easier for external tools to identify a larger pool of public profiles.

Meta representatives highlighted improvements in content discovery and profile visibility, noting that public post searches can now be filtered by media type or author username. Sorting options have been added to distinguish verified users or those with and without profile images, officials said. These enhancements aim to support research, listening, and creator discovery by providing richer data and more nuanced search capabilities.

Developer integration has also been strengthened with the introduction of a tokenless oEmbed API, which allows embedding of public Threads posts without requiring API access tokens, according to Meta’s API reference. Updated post intent parameters offer developers more options for integration, while topic tag pre-configuration enables users to set tags within external applications. Third-party tools can now manage reply controls and support quote post composition, expanding the range of interactions possible from outside the Threads platform.

Moderation workflows have been enhanced with the addition of reply approvals and pending reply management, providing better control over user interactions, sources confirmed. Real-time webhooks now notify developers of publishing and deletion events, allowing for more responsive moderation. For Threads ads, top-level reply moderation features have been introduced, including the ability to view, hide, and respond to replies. Access to these moderation tools requires ad account permissions, ensuring that only authorized users can manage content visibility and interactions.

On the advertising front, Meta has made app ads available globally on Threads through the Marketing API, officials said. Supported objectives include app installs and app event optimization, with Threads feed placement expanding campaign reach. Advertisers can reuse existing creative assets without needing platform-specific production, streamlining campaign management. Marketing API access for these features requires “ads_read” or “ads_management” permissions, according to Meta’s advertising guidelines.

Operational integration improvements aim to reduce friction between Threads and existing social media management stacks. Meta representatives noted that the update supports single-platform integration for planning, approvals, scheduling, reporting, and community management. Third-party customer relationship management (CRM) and social media management platforms are now supported, enabling Threads to function more naturally within established workflows. These changes are intended to enhance professional management accessibility by allowing deeper platform integration.

Meta reported that Threads currently has 400 million monthly active users, a user base that continues to grow and supports the expanded API functionality, company officials said. The strategic importance of search and discovery updates was emphasized as a factor in scaling the platform’s reach. Broader accessibility for brands is facilitated through professional management tools, while enhanced content engagement tracking is enabled by expanded analytics options included in the API update.

The Threads API update follows Meta’s broader efforts to unify its social media offerings and provide developers with more robust tools to manage content and advertising across platforms. The company continues to invest in features that support a wide range of users, from individual creators to large brands, aiming to integrate Threads more closely with existing marketing and operational ecosystems.