Threads are eventually getting a highly desirable features of it: direct messages. Matta CEO Mark Zuckerberg today announced that the company is starting to test a new DM feature for threads. The initial rollout begins this week in Hong Kong, Thailand and Argentina, which plans to expand more areas soon.
So far, threads users have no way to send private messages directly to the app. Anyone who wanted to talk to each other had to go to Instagram, as threads accounts are linked to Instagram profiles. It’s about to change. New updates have introduced a separate inbox directly built directly into threads. It can be accessed from the left by tapping the envelope icon in the task bar at the bottom of the mobile app, or on the desktop.
The important thing is that threads will not be connected to the DMS Instagram inbox. This gives users a clean space to send and receive messages inside the threads, without need to hop between apps.
Mark Zuckerberg has confirmed that the DMS is coming to the threads. | Image Credit – Mark Zuckerberg on Threads
This indicates a major change for the platform. Since launching in July 2023, threads have added several key features, including the following feeds, trending titles, an edit button, and support for web access. Each update has brought it closer to the social platform that many users have expected. Adding the DMS brings threads near the X (formerly Twitter) rival, where private messaging has long been a fundamental feature.
But not everyone is excited. Although some users see it as a very important improvement-especially creators and business accounts that want to handle the conversation more easily-others are concerned about what that means for the future of the platform. Some people fear that private messaging can open a door like harassment and poisonous behavior on other apps.
In particular, many women have talked, saying that the lack of DMS was one of the reasons why threads felt like a safe place. Without private messages, unwanted contact was more visible and easy to manage. Now, there is concern that the bad actor will use the DMS to send a private abuse, where it is reported or moderate.
Critics also argue that adding DMS is at risk of changing the tone of threads. What started as a public focus platform can now feel like other social apps-and not necessarily good.
Nevertheless, this refreshing brings closer to the threads to meet the expectations of modern consumers. Whether it helps to grow threads or create new challenges, one thing is sure: Threads DMS are almost here, and it is about to change how people use the app.
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