Threads Tests New Shortcut to Make Starting DMs Easier for Users

Jakarta — The social media platform Threads is testing a new shortcut that enables users to initiate direct messages (DMs) more quickly. This development was announced by Threads’ parent company, Meta, on Thursday, 26 February 2026.

Meta disclosed that selected users participating in the trial can type “DM me” or “Message me” in a post or reply to automatically generate a link inviting others to start a private conversation with them. By tapping the link, users will be directed directly to a one-on-one chat space with the post’s owner.

If both accounts follow each other, the message will go directly to the recipient’s main inbox. However, if they do not follow each other, the message will be filtered into the “Message Requests” folder to prevent potential spam.

According to Meta, as reported by TechCrunch on Saturday, 28 February 2026, the shortcut is designed to eliminate the need for users to open someone’s profile first just to initiate a DM. Although Threads was late in introducing a native DM feature, this latest move indicates that the company intends to make messaging a more central part of its platform. This effort also aligns with the strategy to reduce the number of steps required by users when starting a conversation.

The DM shortcut feature is currently available to a number of selected users in the United States and Canada. Like other trial features, there is no confirmation yet as to when or whether the feature will be rolled out more widely.