Meta finally brings DMs to Threads

As Threads turns two, Meta is marking the occasion by introducing two substantial updates that aim to transform the user experience and redefine the app’s identity. Originally launched as a companion to Instagram, Threads is now emerging as its own platform, with growing user engagement and a steadily expanding ecosystem of communities and conversations.

The latest data from Meta shows that more than one-third of Threads’ daily users interact with accounts they don’t follow on Instagram. This trend signals a significant shift—Threads is no longer simply an extension of Instagram, but a space where new voices and communities are taking root. In response to this organic growth, Meta has unveiled two major additions designed to support more personal interactions and improve content discovery: in-app direct messaging and a new feature called the Threads highlighter.

Threads was built to promote open, public discussions, allowing users to share thoughts and ideas across a wide spectrum of topics. But over time, the need for more private, one-on-one exchanges has become increasingly apparent. Listening to that feedback, Meta has now introduced direct messaging within the app, allowing users to communicate in private while remaining within the Threads ecosystem.

To start, this messaging feature will be available to users who are 18 years or older and will function only between people who follow each other on Threads or have a mutual connection through Instagram. While the rollout is somewhat limited at first, Meta has already teased a series of enhancements that will expand how users interact.

Among the upcoming features are message control options, which will let users determine who can message them—including those they don’t follow on either Threads or Instagram. A message request folder is also in the works to manage unsolicited messages more effectively. On the horizon is group messaging, offering users the ability to hold private conversations with multiple participants. To help keep inboxes organized, Meta plans to introduce filters that make it easier to sort, locate, and respond to key conversations.

The second addition is the Threads highlighter—a new visual element aimed at elevating trending discussions and prominent voices on the platform. Initially, the highlighter will appear in discovery areas across the app, showcasing notable posts and popular threads. Over time, Meta intends to weave this feature more deeply into the overall experience, helping users connect with important topics and ideas across a range of communities.

The introduction of the highlighter aligns with Threads’ broader mission as it enters its third year: to nurture active, inclusive communities and give a platform to voices that might not be heard elsewhere. As the app matures, Meta appears committed to turning Threads into a space where users can participate in meaningful public dialogue, while also enjoying the flexibility to connect privately and securely.

By blending public engagement with new private messaging tools, Threads is shaping itself into a more well-rounded social platform—one that reflects the complexity of modern communication. With the highlighter feature supporting discovery and messaging catering to more personal exchanges, Threads is now better equipped to meet the diverse needs of its growing user base.

Looking ahead, Meta’s continued investment in the platform suggests that Threads is far from a temporary experiment. Instead, it appears to be evolving into a standalone destination for digital interaction, where users can both broadcast their thoughts and connect more intimately with others. As these updates take effect, they not only mark a milestone in Threads’ development but also signal the company’s broader strategy to foster open dialogue and deepen user engagement across its social platforms.