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Two years after initially opposing the idea of introducing direct messaging (DMs) to Threads, Meta has finally announced that it will be rolling out the feature to all adult users. This move comes after a brief experiment with the feature earlier this month.
According to recent updates, the messaging tab will be added to the Threads app, allowing users to access their inbox and exchange DMs with mutual followers from Instagram. Initially, the update will only permit sending messages to individuals who already follow each other or are mutual followers on both platforms. However, Meta has confirmed that it plans to introduce more customizable inbox controls in a future update.
One notable limitation is the absence of group messaging functionality for now. Despite this, the feature still offers a significant improvement over relying solely on Instagram’s inbox system.
In 2023, Instagram head Adam Mosseri explained his reasoning behind initially opposing the inclusion of DMs to Threads. He stated that having two redundant message threads with each friend in different apps seemed less than ideal. However, as Threads has grown to more than 350 million users, this stance no longer holds much merit.
Recent data highlights that over a third of daily Threads users have connections on the platform that differ from their Instagram connections. This indicates that Threads is establishing its own unique user base, contradicting Meta’s initial objective to keep the two platforms separate.
Two years in, it appears that Meta has shifted its strategy. The company now views Threads as an alternative to other social media platforms like Twitter, rather than a secondary offshoot of Instagram. This change in approach is evident in recent experiments and feature updates aimed at fostering real-time conversations and surfacing more links for recommendations.
Moreover, the latest update adds a new “highlighter” feature that will further accentuate trending topics in users’ feeds, enabling them to engage with content more effectively.
The company’s shift in stance can be seen as an attempt to provide users with a more comprehensive social media experience on Threads. By introducing DMs and making significant updates to the platform’s capabilities, Meta aims to establish Threads as a more robust alternative in the rapidly evolving digital landscape.
Source: www.engadget.com
