Mashable: Threads has been missing this key feature that both X and Meta’s other platforms, Facebook and Instagram have.

Meta’s latest venture into the microblogging space, Threads, is getting a major upgrade soon. The app, which launched in March 2023 as a rival to X (formerly Twitter), will soon let users send direct messages (DMs) to their friends and followers, according to Adam Mosseri, the head of Instagram.

Threads is Meta’s attempt to capture the attention of users who want to share their thoughts and opinions in short, bite-sized posts. Unlike X, which limits users to 280 characters, Threads allows up to 500 characters per post. Users can also add emojis, stickers, GIFs, and polls to their posts.

However, Threads has been missing a key feature that both X and Meta’s other platforms, Facebook and Instagram, have: the ability to chat privately with other users. Mosseri told The Washington Post that adding DMs to Threads was a “no-brainer” and that it should not be too difficult for Meta to implement.

Mosseri also revealed that Threads was originally conceived as a way to add X-like features to Instagram, but Meta’s CEO Mark Zuckerberg wanted to create a separate app instead. Threads was developed in just seven months and launched with much fanfare, attracting over 100 million sign-ups in the first five days. Plus, replying to a user Mosseri said that Threads might be finally coming to desktop.

However, since then, Threads has seen a decline in user engagement and retention, as many users have returned to X or other social media apps. Meta is trying to revive Threads by adding new features and improvements, such as post-translation, a following tab, and more.

Meta hopes that adding DMs to Threads, it will make the app more appealing and interactive for users who want to connect with their friends and followers on a more personal level. It is not clear when the DM feature will roll out to Threads users, but Mosseri said it will be “soon”.