Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced today that the company’s social platform Threads will finally begin testing its direct messaging (DM) inbox, independent from Instagram’s messaging system.
This marks a major shift for Threads users, who until now had to rely on Instagram to send messages.
The new feature is being rolled out as a limited test in select regions, including Hong Kong, Thailand, and Argentina, with plans for a broader release soon.
For now, the DM functionality will only support one-on-one conversations, with no group messaging available.
Threads was launched in July 2023 as a companion to Instagram, initially leveraging Instagram’s user base and messaging system. However, over time, user behavior began to diverge, with many developing separate social circles on Threads. According to Meta, the decision to build a standalone DM system came in response to growing demand from users who wanted to chat within the Threads app without switching platforms.
This move, while welcomed, comes as competitors continue to evolve their messaging tools. Bluesky launched its DMs in May 2024, and just days ago, Elon Musk’s X introduced XChat, a revamped messaging system with features like group chats, vanishing mode, and file sharing.
Meta’s late arrival to the standalone messaging space for Threads reflects a broader shift in its strategy — from piggybacking on Instagram to treating Threads as a distinct social platform.
