Threads Tests Visual Quote Posts That Overlay Text on Photos

Threads is testing a new visual format for quote posts that lets users layer posts over photos and videos, creating a more integrated display. The experiment, announced on October 1, 2026, gives select creators a fresh way to add context when sharing or responding to content, and it signals Meta’s push to make the platform more visually engaging.

Users in the test pool will see a new “Quote” option in the editing menu when they attach an image to a post. From there, they can choose which post to overlay from their Liked posts, saved posts or their own earlier updates. The background visual adds context and personality, and it offers people a different way to respond to conversations in the app.

A Familiar Format Borrowed From Rivals

The approach echoes tools on competing platforms. X introduced a video reaction option that lets users place a selfie video on top of a post, while TikTok users have long relied on the green screen effect to react to posts and articles. Because the format is already familiar to many people, building it natively into Threads could make participation easier and boost engagement.

More Creative Tools on the Way

Beyond the quote overlay, Threads says users can add stickers, experiment with layouts and split a photo into as many as nine parts. The company described the update as the foundation for a broader set of creative tools meant to help people express themselves.

The test arrives as Threads continues to grow. The app reached 500 million monthly active users in June, and Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has suggested it may already have overtaken X as the leading platform for short-form, text-based content. Additional sharing options could encourage more interaction in-stream and help Threads hold on to creators as competition for attention intensifies. Meta has not said when, or whether, the feature will roll out more widely.