It’s hard to believe, but Threads has already been around for two years. While it launched as a Twitter alternative tied tightly to Instagram, it’s slowly starting to come into its own. Meta now says more than a third of Threads’ daily users follow mostly different accounts than they do on Instagram. That shift suggests the app is developing a distinct personality.
Now Meta is giving Threads something users have been requesting from the start. The company just added native direct messaging to the app, making it possible to chat with other users without hopping back to Instagram. That move alone could reshape how people use Threads on a daily basis.
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But Meta isn’t just rolling out DMs. It’s also introducing a new visual tool called the Threads Highlighter. This feature is designed to spotlight conversations and perspectives that drive engagement. You’ll start seeing it around trending topics and discovery sections. Meta says more placements are coming soon.
Messaging on Threads comes with guardrails. Initially, DMs will only work between mutual followers over the age of 18. This is likely a move to maintain safety while the system rolls out. Meta says it’s leaning on its existing privacy protections and moderation infrastructure to keep things under control.
Looking ahead, Meta plans to expand messaging with some familiar tools. Users will get better message controls, including options to allow or block messages from people they don’t follow. Group chats are on the roadmap too, along with filters to organize your inbox. None of that is groundbreaking, but it’s the kind of stuff Threads needs to compete seriously.
Meta’s goal is clear. It wants Threads to evolve into a full-featured social app rather than a side project for Instagram castaways. With messaging and the new Highlighter system, Threads is finally starting to feel like its own platform.
Of course, whether people care enough to switch their habits remains to be seen. Meta has a history of forcing features into its ecosystem whether users ask for them or not. In this case, though, the additions feel useful and overdue.
As Threads heads into year three, Meta is betting on substance over hype. That’s probably the right move. Whether it’s enough to challenge platforms like X or Bluesky depends on how much more independent Threads is willing to become.
