Threads Adds New Communities, Tests Badges For Highly Engaged Members

Threads expands communities to answer what’s new

Threads is expanding its communities feature, adding new topics and testing engagement badges as it looks to keep users active and loyal. If you’re wondering how Threads communities work, what’s new, and whether Meta is trying to challenge Reddit and X more directly, the answer is increasingly yes. The company confirmed it has now crossed 200 communities, up from just over 100 at launch. Alongside this growth, Threads is experimenting with flairs and exclusive badges designed to reward highly engaged members. Together, these updates signal a broader push to turn Threads into a place for ongoing conversations, not just viral posts. Meta appears focused on deepening user identity and belonging within niche interests. This strategy mirrors what has long worked on Reddit, but with a cleaner, mobile-first approach.

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Threads communities grow beyond 200 topics

When Threads first launched its communities feature in October, it introduced more than 100 interest-based spaces covering sports, entertainment, books, and pop culture. Now, Meta says that number has doubled, bringing the total to more than 200 active communities. The expansion includes more granular, team-specific spaces such as Lakers Threads, Knicks Threads, and Spurs Threads. This shift toward narrower topics reflects how people actually use social platforms to connect around shared passions. Instead of broad conversations, users increasingly want spaces that feel personal and relevant. By offering more targeted communities, Threads makes it easier for people to find conversations that matter to them. That, in turn, increases the likelihood they’ll return daily rather than scroll passively.

Team-specific spaces signal deeper engagement goals

The addition of team-based communities is not accidental. Sports fandom thrives on identity, loyalty, and recurring discussion, which are exactly the behaviors Meta wants to encourage on Threads. Dedicated spaces for NBA teams give fans a reason to post regularly, react to breaking news, and debate games in real time. These interactions tend to be more emotional and more frequent than general-interest posts. From a platform perspective, that kind of engagement is extremely valuable. It keeps users active longer and builds habits around checking specific communities. Over time, these smaller but passionate groups can become the backbone of daily usage on Threads.

Threads tests flairs to personalize community identity

In addition to expanding topics, Threads is testing flairs within communities, a feature long familiar to Reddit users. Flairs appear as small, customizable labels under a user’s name and help signal identity or expertise. For example, someone in an NBA community can display the team they support, while a member in a books community can indicate they are an author. This simple visual cue adds context to conversations without requiring extra explanation. It also helps users quickly understand who they’re interacting with. By borrowing this proven feature, Threads is leaning into community norms that already resonate with power users elsewhere. The result is a more expressive and organized discussion environment.

Champion badges reward highly engaged members

Perhaps the most notable experiment is the introduction of a “Champion” badge. Threads says this badge is being tested with a limited number of highly engaged members within specific communities. To qualify, users must be both highly followed and actively participating in conversations. The badge serves as a public signal of contribution and influence. This kind of recognition can motivate users to post more thoughtfully and consistently. It also subtly introduces a hierarchy that rewards positive behavior. While still early, the Champion badge hints at how Threads may gamify engagement in the future without leaning too heavily on follower counts alone.

How badges and flairs shape healthier discussions

Badges and flairs do more than just look nice. They help shape social dynamics within communities by highlighting trusted voices and committed participants. When users see a Champion badge or a meaningful flair, they’re more likely to engage respectfully or pay closer attention. This can reduce low-effort replies and encourage higher-quality discussion. For Threads, that matters because community health directly affects retention. Platforms that feel chaotic or hostile struggle to keep users long term. By contrast, spaces with visible norms and recognition systems tend to self-regulate more effectively. Meta appears to be betting that these subtle design choices can improve conversation quality at scale.

Threads positions itself against Reddit and X

These updates also clarify Threads’ competitive ambitions. Reddit has long dominated interest-based communities, while X has served as a real-time discussion hub. Threads is now positioning itself somewhere in between. With cleaner design, algorithmic discovery, and Meta’s massive user base, Threads can introduce communities to people who might never sign up for Reddit. At the same time, features like flairs and badges borrow directly from Reddit’s playbook. This hybrid approach could make Threads especially appealing to casual users who want structured discussions without the steep learning curve. As competition among social platforms intensifies, differentiation through community design is becoming critical.

Threads growth provides momentum for new features

Meta’s push into communities is backed by strong usage numbers. Threads crossed 400 million users in August, just two years after launch. The company also reported that more than 150 million people now visit the app daily. These figures give Meta the confidence to experiment with deeper engagement tools. Large audiences make it easier to test features like badges without fragmenting the user base. They also attract creators, moderators, and power users who help communities thrive. Growth at this scale suggests Threads is no longer an experiment, but a core part of Meta’s social strategy.

Communities fit into Threads’ broader feature rollout

Communities are not arriving in isolation. Over the past year, Threads has rolled out direct messages, group chats, and ephemeral posts to keep users engaged across different contexts. Communities add another layer by anchoring those interactions around shared interests. Instead of following individuals alone, users can now follow conversations. This shift aligns with how social media consumption is evolving, especially on mobile. People increasingly want relevance over reach. By combining messaging, temporary content, and community discussions, Threads is building a more complete social ecosystem.

Why communities matter for long-term retention

From a product perspective, communities are one of the strongest drivers of retention. Users who feel they belong to a group are less likely to abandon a platform. They return not just for content, but for people. Threads’ expanding community options suggest Meta understands this dynamic well. Features like flairs and Champion badges deepen that sense of belonging by recognizing identity and effort. Over time, these mechanics can turn casual users into regular contributors. That transition is essential for sustaining growth beyond the initial novelty phase.

What to expect next from Threads communities

While Meta hasn’t announced a timeline for wider rollout of badges and flairs, the testing phase suggests more changes are coming. If early feedback is positive, these features could expand to more communities and users. We may also see moderation tools, community-specific feeds, or additional recognition systems. For now, the focus is clear: make Threads a place where conversations feel meaningful and ongoing. As communities grow and mature, Threads could evolve from a Twitter alternative into a full-fledged discussion platform. That evolution may define its next phase of growth in 2026 and beyond.