Meta’s Threads has introduced direct messaging (DM) functionality, allowing users to communicate within the app without switching to Instagram.

The feature began rolling out globally on July 2, 2025 and is available to users aged 18 and older, excluding Japan, Australia, the UK, and the European Union.

The first version includes one-on-one chats, emoji reactions, spam reporting, and mute options.

Advanced features, such as group messaging and inbox filters, are planned for future updates.

Threads’ VP of Product confirmed the DMs are not encrypted and are designed to support community engagement, not private messaging.

The platform seeks to differentiate itself from Instagram by building an “interest graph,” distinct from Instagram’s social graph.

Meta is testing ways to let users access Threads without an Instagram account, including using Facebook or standalone signups.

With 350 million monthly users, Threads leads rivals like Bluesky and continues adding features after limited DM tests in select countries.

🔗 Source: TechCrunch

🧠 Food for thought

1️⃣ Social graph divergence shows Meta’s evolving platform strategy

Threads is demonstrating an unusual evolution pattern for a Meta platform, deliberately separating from its parent app rather than deepening integration.

Despite being built on Instagram’s social graph, over a third of daily Threads users now have less than 50% overlap between their Instagram and Threads connections, indicating users are creating distinct networks across the two platforms 1.

This divergence has prompted Meta to test Threads-only accounts and Facebook login options, acknowledging that the app has evolved beyond being merely an Instagram extension 2.

Meta’s VP of Product explicitly positions the platforms differently, stating, “Instagram is really for creativity and Threads is really for perspectives,” signaling the company’s intention to maintain separate use cases rather than merging functionalities.

This strategy contrasts with Meta’s historical approach of cross-pollinating features between Instagram and Facebook, suggesting a more diversified platform strategy that allows for specialized audience development.