After launching an initial test of Threads DMs earlier this month, Meta has now announced a global expansion of the function, which will give all users their own Threads-specific inbox to engage in private chats.

As you can see in these example screens, all Threads users will soon get access to a dedicated Threads inbox, which will be accessible via the lower function bar. You’ll then be able to message your connections in a Threads-specific private chat (as opposed to this being an expansion of your IG inbox).

“We know it’s important for people to feel safe using messaging. To start, we’re only allowing DMs between your Threads followers or mutual followers from Instagram who are ages 18 and older. Messaging is also protected by our robust privacy standards, account protections and safety infrastructure. As we expand messaging, we’re prioritizing safety to help make it another place for positive interactions on Threads.”

And it could be a significant update, because as Threads notes:

“Messaging has been one of the top requested features, and now, you can easily continue conversations in the app and deepen relationships with others.”

DM engagement overall has been growing at a rapid rate, as more and more people look to engage in more private discussion, instead of posting in public to their social media feeds. The propensity for arguments and criticism have made many question whether it’s actually worth sharing their updates in the main stream, and as a result, many more users now engage in their own more intimate chats.

As such, it’s important for Threads to add its own DM feature, and facilitate more types of engagement. Though initially, Meta did seem hesitant to give Threads its own DMs.

That could be because Meta is seemingly still working to integrate all of its existing DM options (Messenger, WhatsApp, IG Direct) into a singular back-end flow, which would then give users a single, integrated inbox, that’s accessible across each.

Meta hasn’t shared an update on that project for some time, and really, its work on this front could relate to its ongoing court case against the FTC, with the regulatory body looking to force Meta to divest its acquisitions of both WhatsApp and Instagram.