As Meta’s Threads app approaches its second anniversary—first launched on July 5, 2023—the company has rolled out two major updates aimed at evolving the platform into a more independent and full-fledged social experience. These updates include:
Direct Messaging (DMs)
A new Highlighter feature to surface trending topics
The updates are now rolling out globally across both Android and iOS platforms.
One of the most requested features—direct messaging—has officially made its debut on Threads. With this, users can now engage in private, one-on-one conversations within the app, eliminating the earlier dependency on Instagram DMs for personal communication.
When Threads originally launched, it lacked any built-in messaging feature. Now, with DMs integrated directly into the app, Meta aims to bring Threads in sync with the broader Meta ecosystem of Facebook, Instagram, and Messenger.
Meta has introduced several safety guardrails for the new messaging feature. Currently, only users aged 18 and above will be able to use DMs on Threads. Furthermore, private messages can only be sent:
Between mutual followers on Threads
Or between mutual Instagram followers
This is designed to ensure that communication is safe and limited to trusted circles, especially as Meta continues to build privacy-first features across its platforms.
Meta has also teased several upcoming enhancements to the messaging experience on Threads, aimed at increasing functionality and user control:
Message Controls: Users will be able to manage who can message them, including options to block or filter messages from non-followers.
Group Messaging: Threads will soon support group conversations, allowing users to chat with multiple people at once within the app.
Inbox Filters: A smarter inbox will include filters to help users prioritize important conversations and organize message requests.
These additions will gradually roll out in future updates, providing users with customizable and secure messaging tools.
Alongside private messaging, Meta is also launching a new Highlighter tool aimed at making Threads a more discovery-focused platform.
The Highlighter is designed to showcase:
Trending topics
Unique perspectives
Timely conversations
Meta says the tool is meant to "elevate and emphasise content that drives thoughtful discussions." Highlighters will be visually marked, possibly with a yellow background and a “Trending” label, as shown in Meta’s promotional images.
These highlights will appear in key discovery areas within the app, such as the For You feed and Explore sections, helping users stay updated with popular and relevant conversations.
Initially, the Highlighter feature will focus on surfacing conversations around real-time trends and notable user posts. Over time, Meta plans to expand visibility of these Highlighters to a broader audience, allowing users to better engage with trending content and discover new voices on the platform.
With the launch of direct messaging and Highlighter, Threads is signaling a major shift away from being merely an Instagram-linked service. Instead, Meta is shaping it into a standalone platform with its own identity and community features.
These updates not only enhance the functionality of the app but also reflect Meta’s long-term strategy to offer alternative social media spaces focused on real-time, text-first conversations—much like X (formerly Twitter).
With its second anniversary approaching, the Threads app is maturing rapidly. The addition of private messaging and a content-focused discovery feature like Highlighter shows Meta’s intention to create a well-rounded social experience that balances privacy, expression, and meaningful conversation.
As more features roll out, Threads could become a strong competitor in the text-based social networking space, especially for users looking for Instagram-adjacent but distinct digital communities.