Instagram Threads is expanding its messaging capabilities with the introduction of group chats, allowing users to connect with up to 50 people simultaneously. This feature, which follows the rollout of direct messaging earlier this summer, is now available to users worldwide, including those in the EU, where its launch had previously been delayed. With over 400 million monthly active users, Threads continues to position itself as a formidable competitor to X.
Enhanced Messaging Features
Users aged 18 and older can now share a variety of content within group chats, including text posts, videos, GIFs, and emojis, mirroring the functionality available on the public timeline. Emily Dalton Smith, VP of Product Management at Threads, emphasized that the messaging experience is designed to foster deeper connections among users discussing shared interests, such as sports events or television shows. However, she clarified that group chats, like individual direct messages, will not be encrypted, as Threads aims to facilitate real-time conversations rather than serve as a secure messaging platform.
“We see messaging as a way for people to connect more deeply with the people they’re already having conversations with,” Smith noted during a recent session with reporters, highlighting the feature’s intent to enhance user engagement.
As Threads evolves, it aligns with Instagram’s broader strategy to emphasize Reels and DMs, which have proven to be the most engaging features for users. This shift reflects a growing trend among social media platforms to prioritize messaging capabilities, as seen with X’s recent focus on its end-to-end encrypted chat service, XChat.
User Control and Community Engagement
Threads is also implementing user controls for group chats. To initiate a group chat, users must be following the person who wishes to add them, creating a more curated experience compared to individual DMs, where messages from non-followers are directed to a separate Message Requests folder. This approach aims to enhance user comfort and reduce unwanted interactions.
Additionally, users can name their group chats and will soon have the option to invite others via a shared link, streamlining the process of connecting with like-minded individuals within specific communities—a feature that has recently gained traction on the app.
Smith pointed out that Threads is fostering unique connections distinct from those on Instagram. Notably, over a third of daily Threads users follow fewer than half the accounts they do on Instagram, suggesting a trend towards creating “Threads-first” relationships.
With the rollout of group messaging and the expansion into the EU market, Threads is poised to enhance its user experience, making it easier for individuals to engage with their communities and interests in a more meaningful way.
