Threads Rolls Out Group Chats and European DM Access

Meta's Threads platform launched group messaging this week, according to an official announcement, marking another step in the app's push to rival X as the leading real-time social network. The feature lets users create private group conversations with up to 50 participants while the company simultaneously rolled out DM access across Europe.

How Threads group chats work

Creators and brands can now start a group conversation by opening a new message and adding handles in the "To" field. Once created, the chat can be named to reflect its purpose or community.

Key features of the new group messaging include:

Up to 50 participants per group chat

New members can only be added by someone they already follow

Only chat administrators can remove members

15-minute editing window for sent messages

Reporting options for entire chats or individual messages

The platform is also developing shareable invite links to simplify the process of building group conversations. That addition will roll out in the coming weeks.

Threads expands DM capabilities

The app introduced direct messaging in July 2025, after launching without any private communication tools. Since then, Meta has expanded messaging capabilities to match features available on competing platforms.

Recent additions include photo sharing, stickers, GIFs, and a dedicated folder for message requests that helps users manage incoming DMs from people they don't follow. Group chats represent the most significant messaging update yet, positioning Threads as a more complete communication hub rather than just a public posting platform.

The European expansion also addresses a major geographic gap in DM availability. Users across the EU can now access the full suite of messaging tools that have been available in other markets since summer.

Why private messaging matters for creators

The shift toward private conversations reflects broader social media trends. Users increasingly prefer intimate group discussions over public posts, especially for community building and collaboration.

For creators and small brands, group chats offer a new way to engage loyal audiences without relying solely on broadcast-style content. Private channels can nurture relationships with super-fans, coordinate with collaborators, or offer exclusive access to paying supporters.

Threads messaging also keeps conversations within the app instead of forcing users to jump to Instagram DMs or external platforms. That stickiness could translate into longer session times and stronger network effects as the platform has now surpassed 400 million monthly active users.

Threads closes the gap with X

Meta's text platform is climbing rapidly toward X's user base, with current growth trajectories suggesting it could match or exceed its competitor within the next year. X has increasingly focused resources on artificial intelligence through its Grok chatbot rather than social features, potentially creating an opening for Threads.

For years, Twitter struggled to expand beyond its core audience, never quite reaching the billion-user milestone despite its cultural influence. Threads appears positioned to break that ceiling by combining Meta's distribution power with features users actually want—including robust private messaging.

The addition of group chats signals that Meta views Threads as more than a Twitter clone. The platform is building toward a complete social ecosystem where public conversation and private community engagement coexist.