Threads adds group discussions: up to 50 people per conversation
Following the introduction of private messaging this summer, Threads is taking another significant step in its social evolution. Meta has just announced the rollout of group discussions on Threads, a feature that allows users to chat with multiple friends in a single conversation—avoiding the need for separate individual messages.
Threads: Up to 50 Participants per Discussion
Users can now create a new message and add up to 50 followers on Threads. Each group can be given a unique name, making it easier to identify based on the topic or participants, similar to what already exists on Facebook Messenger.
In these discussions, users over 18 can share texts, photos, videos, GIFs, and emojis, just like on Threads’ public feed.
“We view messaging as a way to deepen conversations among people with shared interests,” explains Emily Dalton Smith, product vice president at Threads.
A Gradual Global Rollout
The feature is currently being rolled out worldwide, with the exception of the UK and Australia, where Meta states it is working to launch “as quickly as possible.” In parallel, messaging (DMs) is arriving in the European Union, where it was not previously available.
In the near future, Threads will also add the capability to invite members via a shared link, eliminating the need to add them one by one—an improvement designed for communities and interest groups on the platform.
Privacy and Control over Conversations
Meta clarifies that, just like private messages, group discussions are not end-to-end encrypted. The goal is not to make Threads a secure messaging service, but rather a space for exchanging views on current topics or common passions—such as a match, a series, or an event.
Users maintain full control over who can add them to a group discussion:
- Only people you follow can add you to a group.
- Messages from non-followed accounts are redirected to the “Message Requests” folder.
- Links and media are disabled in these requests, and suspicious messages are automatically filtered into a hidden folder.
These moderation measures aim to limit spam and unwanted interactions, a crucial point of focus as the platform now boasts over 400 million monthly active users.
A Messaging Platform for a New Generation of Users
Threads, which attracts a different audience than Instagram, is focusing on messaging to strengthen community ties. According to Meta, one-third of daily Threads users follow fewer than half the same accounts as on Instagram, indicating the platform fosters new “Threads-first” connections rather than merely extending Instagram.
This approach aligns with Meta’s overall strategy, which centers its applications around Reels and messaging, the two most engaging features within its ecosystem.
Upcoming Features
Meta plans several enhancements in the coming months, including advanced management tools for the inbox, the ability to invite members via link to a group, and additional collaborative functions for communities.
