You’ve been asking for it, and despite Meta previously stating that it wasn’t looking to add DMs to Threads, it is in fact now testing out a unique inbox for Threads accounts, which will be separate from users’ Instagram messages.
As you can see in this example, some Threads users will soon see a new message envelope icon in the lower function bar in the Threads app, which will link to a unique DM process.
Threads is testing the option out in with users in Hong Kong, Thailand and Argentina, with a view to a worldwide expansion in the near future.
So great, separate Threads DMs, making it even more like the original Twitter experience, and providing more functionality within the app.
For a long time, it seemed like Meta wouldn’t consider adding another DM option, due to its ongoing work to merge its existing DM tools into a singular back-end infrastructure, enabling cross-platform messaging and inbox storage.
But that seems to no longer be a concern, either because it’s not happening, or it’s not a major integration challenge, which means that the Threads team can now give you your own unique DMs.
Threads had initially tested using your IG DMs as your Threads messaging option, but that also seems to have been shelved in favor of more specific development. Which is good news for users, and it’ll be interesting to see if that increases usage and engagement in the app, and how it helps to open up new opportunities for Threads users.
Could this be the thing that gets more X users to make the switch?
Threads is growing fast, and is now up to 350 million active users, but it’s still a long way off X, which currently claims to have 600 million actives.
And despite political discussion getting a lot of attention on X, sports remains the most discussed topic in the app, and it’ll be interesting to see if Threads can make more inroads with sports communities, as it looks to unseat X as the real-time social app of choice.
Evidently, a lot of communities remain embedded on X, and see no reason to uproot themselves to a new app. But maybe, with Threads leaning into more real-time news content, and adding its own DMs, that could help to prompt more consideration, and see it become a real challenger for X in overall usage.
I mean, Threads’ download numbers remain strong, and it’s definitely established a place in the broader social media landscape. It seems like it is now a legitimate challenger, and with functional parity, I can imagine a lot more users making the switch.
It’ll also be good for creators and brands who are looking to generate leads from the app, while it’ll also prompt more group chats within the platform, aligning with broader usage trends.
It’s a good update, which should please many Threads users.
