Threads users have frequently remarked on the unusual posts generated by the app’s recommendation algorithm since its inception. Recently, a new type of peculiar post has caught users’ attention: individuals seeking “friends.”
These posts often include selfies of young individuals, typically stating they are 18 years old. Engadget has identified numerous such posts appearing in Threads’ “related threads” section, which suggests content to users who are not logged in. The rationale behind these posts being categorized as “related” to popular recommendations remains unclear.
For instance, a post regarding Spotify from well-known Threads user Chris Messina was suggested on Threads’ home feed for logged-out users. Viewing this post also brought up a “related” post from Threads executive Adam Mosseri. However, another “related” post from an account claiming to be an 18-year-old high school student was also featured beneath it.
Threads appears to frequently present similar posts in its “related threads” section. One such post was consistently recommended across the app. A review of the user’s profile revealed that the individual had shared identical content—a photo with a WhatsApp link—over 30 times within five days.
As Threads has expanded to over 350 million users, an increase in spam is not unexpected. Meta executive Adam Mosseri acknowledged a rise in “spam attacks” in July 2023, shortly after the service’s launch. The company has been attempting to address the issue of “engagement bait.”
While spam on a platform of Threads’ size is not surprising, the frequent recommendation of these posts is unusual. Meta did not provide specific answers about the prevalence of these posts as “related” content but confirmed that spam posts should not appear in the app’s recommendations.
Spammy posts have also been noticeable in other areas of Meta’s applications. A Reddit user recently pointed out an unusual recommendation on Instagram, displaying a selfie and the text “I need a bf 🎀 Age don’t mind,” repeated by the user multiple times in a week. The user mentioned, “Every time the suggested Threads window appears, I see 2-4 posts like this before encountering something normal.” Despite marking them as “not interested” and reporting them, the posts persist.
This scenario seems linked to an ongoing spam campaign, with the same content flagged by the Redditor being shared by other Threads accounts. Searches on Threads reveal numerous accounts frequently posting similar age-related messages.
Engadget welcomes readers to share their experiences with similar posts on Threads by contacting karissa.bell@engadget.com.