Threads Group Chats Arrive in Europe - Latest Updates

Instagram Threads Expands Messaging Capabilities

Following the introduction of direct messaging earlier this year, Instagram Threads is now implementing support for group conversations, accommodating up to 50 participants. This update, released globally today, positions the Meta-owned platform as a stronger competitor to X. Currently, Threads boasts over 400 million monthly active users.

Features Within Group Chats

Users aged 18 and above within these group chats will have the ability to share a variety of content. This includes text-based posts, video clips, animated GIFs, and standard emojis, mirroring the functionality available on the public Threads timeline.

Emily Dalton Smith, VP of Product Management at Threads, clarified that, similar to individual direct messages, group chats will not utilize end-to-end encryption. The platform is designed to facilitate connections around current topics – such as sporting events or television programs – rather than providing a highly secure messaging environment.

Focus on Connection and Engagement

Smith emphasized that messaging is intended to deepen existing relationships. It’s about fostering more meaningful interactions with individuals who share common interests, as demonstrated during a recent briefing with journalists.

Strategic Shift Towards Messaging

This expansion of messaging features aligns with Instagram’s broader strategy of prioritizing Reels and direct messages. Data indicates that these are the features driving the highest levels of user engagement. Consequently, messaging is now being integrated as a central component of the Threads experience.

X, Threads’ primary competitor, has also prioritized messaging, but with a focus on end-to-end encrypted communication through XChat. However, security experts have raised concerns regarding the trustworthiness of XChat compared to platforms like Signal.

Controlling Group Chat Access

Threads is implementing controls to allow users to manage who can initiate group chats with them. A key restriction is that users must be following each other to be added to a group conversation. This differs from individual DMs, where messages from non-followers are directed to a separate Message Requests folder.

Message requests themselves have limitations. Links and media are disabled within them, and the number of requests a user can send is restricted. Furthermore, users can disable message requests from those they do not follow, with potential spam being automatically filtered.

Enhanced Group Chat Management

Group chats will be customizable with names, and a future update will allow users to invite others via shareable links. This will streamline the process of connecting members within specific Communities – a feature designed to help users find groups based on shared interests.

Distinct Threads Connections

Smith highlighted that Threads tends to facilitate connections with a different network of individuals than Instagram. Over one-third of daily Threads users follow fewer people on the platform than they do on Instagram, suggesting the development of unique, “Threads-first” relationships.

EU Availability

Alongside the introduction of group chats, messaging functionality is also being rolled out to users in the European Union. This provides EU users with access to both individual and group chat features simultaneously.