threads-search-permissions

name	threads-search-permissions
description	Guidelines on Meta App Review, Live/Development modes, and resolving keyword search permissions on the Threads Graph API.

Threads Search & Permissions Guide

This guide covers the troubleshooting procedures, development workflows, and App Review prerequisites for Meta's Threads Graph API keyword search functionality.

Troubleshooting permission errors

When calling the GET /keyword_search endpoint, if you encounter a THApiException (code 10) with the message "Application does not have permission for this action", this indicates a configuration mismatch between your app's requested scopes, its current approval status, and the active token's permissions.

Understanding Development Mode vs. Live Mode Gating

• Development Mode (Testing):
  • Newly created apps start in Development Mode for testing.
  • Access to advanced features (like public keyword search) is strictly limited to users with roles on the app (Administrators, Developers, and Testers).
  • Global search is blocked in this mode. You can generally only query or pull data from accounts explicitly added as Threads Testers under your App Dashboard roles.
• Live Mode & App Review:
  • Simply switching the dashboard to Live Mode will not authorize public keyword search if the permission has not passed App Review.
  • Switching to Live Mode without App Review approval actually strips unapproved capabilities away from anyone who isn't an admin or developer of the app.

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Prerequisite Workflow for Production / Public Search

To successfully search public Threads content in a production environment:

1. Keep the app in Development Mode while building and testing your implementation.
2. Complete Business Verification inside your Meta Developer Account (usually required for advanced data search endpoints).
3. Submit the threads_keyword_search permission for App Review. You will need:
   • A privacy policy URL.
   • Terms of service.
   • A recorded screencast showing exactly how your application fetches, processes, and displays the public search data.
4. Only after Meta approves the permission should you switch your app to Live Mode.

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Solo Builder Shortcut (Bypassing App Review)

If the application is a personal project or internal tool querying data purely on behalf of your own account:

• Do not switch to Live Mode.
• Keep the app in Development Mode indefinitely.
• Add your personal Threads account as a Threads Tester under the Roles tab in the Meta Developer Dashboard.
• Authenticate the tester account to generate your access token. This bypasses the App Review requirement entirely.