Threads is testing a new shortcut designed to make it easier for users to start direct message conversations without navigating away from a post. The feature allows select users to type “DM me” or “Message me” in a post or reply, which automatically generates a clickable hyperlink. Tapping that link opens a one-on-one chat with the author.
The update is being rolled out to a limited group of users in the United States and Canada. As with many platform experiments, there is no indication yet whether the shortcut will become a permanent feature.
Threads, owned by Meta, introduced native direct messaging later than some competing social networks. The new shortcut suggests the company is continuing to refine how messaging fits into the broader Threads experience. By allowing users to initiate private conversations directly from posts or replies, the platform reduces the number of steps previously required to begin a chat.
The system still applies existing message controls. If two users follow each other, messages go directly to the primary inbox. If they do not, the message is routed to the recipient’s Message Requests folder. This structure mirrors inbox filtering used across other Meta platforms and is intended to limit unwanted messages.
The shortcut arrives amid a series of incremental updates aimed at increasing engagement within the app. Threads recently introduced AI-powered feed personalization tools and added the ability to share posts directly to an Instagram Story without leaving the platform. The company has also been testing interactive elements such as in-message games.
These additions reflect a broader effort to position Threads as more than a public microblogging platform. While it launched as a text-focused alternative to X, Threads has steadily incorporated features that encourage private interaction and cross-platform integration with Instagram.
Recent data from Similarweb suggests that Threads’ mobile app usage has surpassed X in daily active users. As of early January 2026, Threads reportedly reached 141.5 million daily active users on mobile, compared to X’s 125 million. X continues to maintain stronger web traffic, but Threads’ growth on iOS and Android indicates that its mobile-first strategy is gaining traction.
The introduction of a direct message shortcut aligns with that trend. Simplifying private communication could encourage more interaction within the app rather than pushing users to external messaging platforms. At the same time, expanding messaging capabilities raises familiar moderation and spam-management challenges that social networks continue to navigate.
Whether the DM shortcut becomes widely available will depend on user feedback and how it affects engagement metrics. For now, the test highlights Threads’ ongoing shift toward making messaging a more central part of its platform.
