Meta rolled out two new features for Threads on May 7 designed to encourage more posting activity. The updates include automatic separation of long text into multiple linked posts and animated stickers that make updates stand out in users’ feeds. The text-splitting feature is now available globally. Animated stickers remain in regional testing across select markets.
Threads now automatically breaks text blocks longer than 500 characters into multiple connected posts when users paste content into the mobile composer. The feature eliminates the need for users to manually edit lengthy updates or worry about character limits. Users could previously post longer content through Threads’ text attachment option. The new auto-split function displays extended passages directly in-stream rather than as separate attachments.
Meta also introduced animated stickers that users activate by tapping blank space within the post composer. Users select “Add sticker” from the popup menu to access the feature. The stickers include moving and pulsing visuals that work similarly to GIF-style emojis. They appear within the text frame rather than as separate attachments. App researcher Alessandro Paluzzi first spotted the feature in January 2026 during early testing phases. Meta confirmed the limited rollout this week.
The animated stickers differ from standard GIF attachments already available in Threads. They embed directly into post text and display as inline animations in the main feed. Users receive options to add both visual stickers and animated text elements. Posts incorporate motion graphics without attaching full media files. Industry observers noted the stickers could become visually overwhelming if widely adopted. Meta emphasized the feature remains experimental.
The updates arrive as Meta continues expanding Threads engagement tools. Recent additions include playable music stickers launched May 6, emoji reactions to specific words tested in April, and basketball mini-games introduced during NBA All-Star Weekend in February. Threads surpassed 275 million monthly active users in March 2026. The platform competes directly against X and Bluesky for text-based social networking dominance. Meta has prioritized creator-focused features and engagement mechanics since launching in July 2023 as its alternative to traditional microblogging services.
Automated separation of longer text is now available to all users, while animated stickers are being tested in some regions.
