You need an Instagram account first. Download the Threads app, tap "Log in with Instagram," and your name and profile photo carry over automatically. Write your bio (or use the same one from Instagram), choose whether to follow the same accounts, and tap "Join Threads." The entire setup takes under 2 minutes if you already have Instagram.
Why This Matters
Threads is Meta's text-based platform and it's directly tied to Instagram. Having a Threads profile creates another indexed page for your business name on Google and connects to Meta's broader advertising and discovery ecosystem. For businesses already on Instagram, Threads is essentially free real estate — your username and followers carry over, and any content you post on Threads can cross-promote your Instagram presence. Meta is actively pushing Threads in their algorithm, which means early business profiles get disproportionate reach.
Real-World Example
A solo esthetician already had an Instagram business account with 620 followers. Because Threads signs you in through Instagram, setting it up was mostly confirming what was already there and shortening her Instagram bio to suit a more conversational feed. She posted one tip about skincare routines and it got more views than her average Instagram Reel.
What Most People Get Wrong
You can't create a Threads account without Instagram. If you haven't set up Instagram yet, do that first. Many business owners try to go directly to Threads and get stuck. The setup order matters: Instagram first, then Threads.