Threads announced on Thursday that it is testing a shortcut to start DM conversations.
The feature aims to reduce the steps required to initiate a private chat on the social network. It represents a move by the Meta-owned platform to make messaging a more central part of its service.
Users in the test can type “DM me” or “Message me” in a post or reply to automatically generate a hyperlink. Tapping the shortcut opens a one-on-one chat. Mutual follows will send messages to the primary inbox, while non-follows route to the “Message Requests” folder to prevent spam.
The company stated that the new shortcut removes the need to navigate to a person’s profile to start a DM. The feature is rolling out to select users in the U.S. and Canada. There is no confirmed timeline for a wider release.
This development follows several other recent updates to the platform. Threads recently introduced an AI-powered feature for feed personalization and the ability to share posts directly to an Instagram Story. The company was also spotted exploring in-message games last month.
A recent report from market intelligence firm Similarweb suggested Threads has surpassed X in daily mobile usage. As of January 7, 2026, Threads had 141.5 million daily active mobile users, while X had 125 million. X still dominates Threads on the web.
Threads is a social media platform owned by Meta.
