Jess Weatherbed, a news writer with a focus on creative industries, computing, and internet culture, has reported on recent developments at Threads, a social media platform operated by Meta. The platform is introducing a new transparency feature designed to help users understand why their posts or accounts might face restrictions due to violations of the platform's guidelines. This new account status dashboard is similar to features already available on Instagram and Facebook, providing users with detailed insights into content removals, visibility reductions, and any blocks placed on their ability to use certain features. The dashboard will inform users if their posts have been removed, demoted in feed rankings, or prevented from being recommended to other users. It will also clearly state any account suspensions or limitations imposed due to violations of the Threads community guidelines. If users feel they have been penalized incorrectly, the dashboard includes a straightforward appeals process to address these complaints. This feature is intended to improve user understanding and compliance with platform rules, as well as to make the process of contesting restrictions more accessible. Meta began rolling out the account status dashboard to Threads users immediately, and it can be found in the "account" section within the settings menu. This move is part of Meta's broader effort to increase transparency across its platforms, helping users to avoid penalties and restore access to features that may have been mistakenly restricted. In addition to enhancing transparency, Threads is stepping up its monetization strategies. On Thursday, Meta announced that it will start testing video ads on the platform. These ads will appear in user feeds, interspersed with organic content, and will come in 19:9 or 1:1 aspect ratios. The testing phase involves a limited number of video ads, building on the initial introduction of ads in January and their subsequent global expansion last month. This ad expansion is not confined to Threads alone. Meta is also experimenting with short-form video solutions that will display ads alongside popular Reels on Facebook and Instagram. By placing ads next to highly engaging content, Meta hopes to capitalize on the popularity of these short-form videos. Furthermore, new branded partnership ad formats, including ads during Facebook Live streams, are set to roll out on both Facebook and Instagram. These changes reflect Meta's ongoing efforts to diversify its revenue streams and stay competitive in the rapidly evolving landscape of social media advertising. Overall, the introduction of the account status dashboard and the implementation of video ads represent significant steps in Meta's strategy to balance user transparency and platform monetization. These initiatives aim to create a more informed and engaged user base while exploring new avenues for generating revenue.