Meta’s Threads launches official direct messaging

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Instagram Threads is finally adding the feature users have been asking for the most: direct messaging (DMs). 

This means you can now chat directly with others in Threads without switching back to Instagram. 

The rollout of DMs starts globally this week, except in Japan, Australia, the U.K., and the EU. At first, DMs will only be for people 18 and older.

The first version of DMs will let you have one-on-one chats, react with emojis, report spam, and mute conversations. Features like group chats or inbox filters will come later. 

Currently, if you don’t want someone messaging you, you’ll need to block them entirely on Threads (which also blocks them on Instagram) or avoid following them.

Threads also introduced a new feature called “highlighter,” which shows important or interesting conversations, especially trending topics, while you browse.

With DMs, Threads is becoming more similar to apps like X (Twitter) and Bluesky, where chatting directly is already possible. But unlike X, Threads won’t have encrypted DMs for now. 

According to Threads’ VP of Product, the goal is to help people talk freely about what’s happening right now, not necessarily to provide secure messaging.

Threads is also turning into its own unique space, separate from Instagram. Many users follow different people on Threads compared to Instagram, with over a third of daily Threads users having less than 50% overlap in connections. 

Threads plans to let people use the app without an Instagram account in the future, like logging in with Facebook or even using it without logging in at all.

Threads creators and communities are growing too, with features like tags and topic feeds to help people find conversations about their interests. Soon, Threads will suggest more active users to follow.

For now, Threads will only make money through ads. While AI helps power features like trending topics, there are no current plans to sell premium AI tools. 

Threads already has 350 million monthly users but still has work to do to catch up with Meta’s biggest apps.

What do you think about DMs coming to Threads? Do you use the platform and does this feature seem like a must-have? Tell us below in the comments, or reach out to us via our Twitter or Facebook.