Threads hit 400 million monthly active users by August 2025, with daily active users growing 127.8% year-over-year, according to inBeat Agency data.
The platform's median engagement rate is 6.25% — 73.6% higher than X's 3.6%, according to inBeat Agency data. Threads for creators represents the largest organic growth opportunity since early TikTok, where building an audience requires no ad spend and no existing following.
Here's how to use Threads for creators in 2026 — with real engagement data, content format performance, every monetization method explained, and how to convert Threads growth into income through brand deals.
Growth and engagement data in this guide are sourced from inBeat Agency, Buffer, BlackTwist, and Meta 2025–2026 reports, with all source links included.
Key Takeaways
- Threads' 6.25% median engagement rate is 73.6% higher than X's 3.6%
- 400 million monthly active users with 127.8% daily active user growth year-over-year
- Photos outperform text-only posts by 60% and links by 37% on Threads
- No direct creator payouts exist — monetization happens through brand deals, affiliates, and product sales
- On Promote, creators combine Threads content with paid brand campaigns — no follower minimum
Threads for Creators in 2026#
Threads is the fastest-growing text-based social platform in 2026, with 400 million monthly active users and 115.1 million daily active users — while X's daily active users declined 15.2% year-over-year over the same period, according to inBeat Agency data. Meta's algorithm improvements drove a 35% increase in time spent on Threads over a six-month period.
The Early Mover Advantage#
Threads is still in its audience-building phase, meaning organic reach remains high and competition for attention is low. The platform's recommendation algorithm actively surfaces new creators to users who haven't followed them — a pattern similar to early TikTok and Instagram Reels. Creators who establish consistent posting now will have built significant audiences by the time Meta launches direct monetization features.
No Direct Payouts — Yet#
Meta ended its invite-only creator bonus program in July 2025, according to BlackTwist data. Threads currently offers no built-in creator payouts, ad revenue sharing, or tipping features. However, Meta's $11.3 billion revenue projection for Threads by end of 2026 signals that creator monetization tools are coming, according to Evercore ISI estimates cited by inBeat Agency.
For a broader overview of growth strategies across all platforms, see our guide on how to grow your social media following.
Threads Growth and Engagement Data#
Threads' median engagement rate of 6.25% outperforms every major text-based platform — 73.6% higher than X's 3.6% and dramatically above Bluesky's average, according to inBeat Agency data. The audience skews young professional: 28.75% are aged 25–34, and 70% of Threads users are also active on Facebook while 51% use Instagram.
Here's how Threads compares to X across key metrics, based on inBeat Agency 2025 data:
| Metric | Threads | X (Twitter) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly active users | 400M, according to inBeat Agency | 600M+, according to inBeat Agency |
| Daily active users | 115.1M (growing 127.8% YoY), according to inBeat Agency | 132M (declining 15.2% YoY), according to inBeat Agency |
| Median engagement rate | 6.25%, according to inBeat Agency | 3.6%, according to inBeat Agency |
| Average engagements per post | 58, according to inBeat Agency | 328, according to inBeat Agency |
| Gender split | 57.85% male, according to inBeat Agency | ~60% male |
| Primary age group | 25–34 (28.75%), according to inBeat Agency | 25–34 |
While X still generates more average engagements per post (328 vs 58), Threads' engagement rate percentage is significantly higher — meaning a larger proportion of your followers actually interact with your content.
For a comparison of monetization across platforms, check our guide on which social media platform pays the most.
Content Formats That Perform on Threads#
Photos generate the highest engagement on Threads, outperforming videos by 0.6%, links by 37%, and text-only posts by 60%, according to inBeat Agency data. This reverses the trend on most other platforms where video dominates — Threads rewards visual static content and conversation starters over produced video.
Here's how each format performs, based on inBeat Agency 2025 data:
| Format | Performance vs Text-Only | Best Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| Photos | +60% engagement, according to inBeat Agency | Data screenshots, infographics, behind-the-scenes |
| Videos | +59.4% engagement, according to inBeat Agency | Short takes, reactions, tutorials |
| Links | +23% engagement, according to inBeat Agency | Article shares, product links, affiliate content |
| Text-only | Baseline, according to inBeat Agency | Hot takes, questions, conversational hooks |
Best Posting Times#
Wednesday at 7 AM generates the highest engagement on Threads, with weekday mornings from 7–9 AM (Tuesday through Friday) showing the strongest performance overall, according to Buffer data. The platform's audience is most active during professional morning routines.
4 Ways to Monetize Threads in 2026#
Threads monetization in 2026 is entirely indirect — creators earn through brand partnerships, affiliate commissions, and driving traffic to owned products rather than platform payouts. The absence of native monetization tools means creators who build audiences now are investing in future platform revenue sharing while earning through external channels today.
1. Brand Deals via Instagram Creator Marketplace#
Since Threads is part of the Meta ecosystem, brand partnerships flow through Instagram's Creator Marketplace. Creators with strong Threads engagement can package their Threads presence alongside Instagram content for higher-value sponsorship deals. On Promote, creators find paid campaigns from 200+ brands across all platforms — including Threads.
2. Affiliate Marketing#
Threads supports clickable links in posts, making affiliate marketing a natural fit. Product recommendations, tool reviews, and curated lists generate affiliate commissions directly from Threads posts. For the complete affiliate strategy, see our affiliate marketing for creators guide.
3. Driving Traffic to Owned Products#
Use Threads to build an audience and funnel followers to courses, newsletters, templates, or consulting services. The conversational format builds trust and authority — two factors that convert followers into paying customers more effectively than traditional ads.
4. Multi-Platform Brand Sponsorships#
Brands increasingly pay for multi-platform packages — a creator who delivers content across Instagram, TikTok, and Threads commands higher rates than single-platform deals. Adding Threads reach to your sponsorship proposals increases deal value without requiring additional content formats.
Threads Growth Strategies for Creators#
The biggest growth advantage on Threads is low creator competition combined with high algorithmic reach — the recommendation system actively pushes content to users who don't follow you, similar to TikTok's For You page, according to Meta data cited by inBeat Agency. Building a Threads audience now requires consistency and conversational content.
Post Consistently (Daily Minimum)#
Post at least once daily to maintain algorithmic visibility. Threads rewards active creators who contribute to ongoing conversations. Mix original takes with replies to trending topics — both generate profile visits and follower growth. The best posting window is weekday mornings from 7–9 AM, with Wednesday at 7 AM generating the highest engagement, according to Buffer data.
Lead With Photos and Visuals#
Since photos outperform all other formats by 37–60%, prioritize visual content over text-only posts. Screenshots of data, behind-the-scenes photos, carousel breakdowns, and infographics drive the highest engagement and shares on Threads.
Cross-Promote From Instagram#
70% of Threads users also use Instagram, and 51% are on both platforms simultaneously, according to inBeat Agency data. Share your Threads posts to Instagram Stories and link your Threads profile in your Instagram bio. The overlap means your existing Instagram audience can become your Threads audience with minimal effort.
Embrace Conversational Tone#
Threads rewards authenticity over production value. The most successful Threads creators write like they're texting a colleague — direct, opinionated, and unfiltered. Ask questions, share hot takes, and respond to replies. Avoid corporate language and formal structures that work on LinkedIn but miss the mark on Threads.
For strategies on repackaging content across platforms, see our guide on repurposing content across platforms.
Stack Threads Growth With Brand Deals#
Threads doesn't pay creators directly — but the audience you build on Threads makes you more valuable to brands across every platform. A strong Threads presence demonstrates engaged reach, conversational authority, and multi-platform influence — all factors that increase brand deal rates on Promote, according to Promote platform data covering 10,000-plus active creators.
On Promote, creators browse paid campaigns from 200+ brands and get paid per deliverable — regardless of platform or follower count. The platform charges a flat 10% on withdrawals with no monthly fees, and accepts creators at any audience size. Threads content showcases your voice and audience engagement, making you attractive to brands seeking authentic creator partnerships.
The smartest Threads creators treat the platform as a growth engine while earning revenue through brand deals on Promote. Threads builds the audience, brand deals provide the income.
Join 10,000+ creators on Promote and start earning brand deal income while growing your Threads audience.