Threads is testing a shortcut to quickly start DM conversations

Summary

Threads is testing a shortcut for direct messaging. The feature allows users to generate a hyperlink to start private conversations. Threads' mobile app usage surpasses X, according to a report.

Key Takeaways

1. Threads is testing a shortcut to make it easier to DM someone, the Meta-owned company announced on Thursday.
2. The company says the new shortcut removes the need to navigate to a person’s profile to start a DM conversation with them.
3. The report revealed that Threads had 141.5 million daily active users on mobile as of January 7, 2026, while X had 125 million daily active users.

Statement Breakdown

• Claimed Facts: 75% of statements the article presents as facts
• Opinions: 15% of statements classified as editorial or subjective
• Claims: 10% of statements surfaced for additional reader evaluation

Credibility & Bias Reasoning

Credibility assessment: The article reports on a specific feature being tested by a company, Meta, and cites a report from a market intelligence firm, Similarweb. The claims are straightforward and verifiable. The reporting is factual and avoids sensationalism, contributing to a relatively high credibility score.

Bias assessment: Tech-Positive Reporting. The article presents the new feature in a positive light, highlighting its potential to improve user experience. While not overtly biased, the focus on the benefits of the feature and the platform's growth suggests a slightly favorable perspective towards Threads and its development.

Note: While the article presents factual information, readers should independently verify claims regarding user statistics and feature effectiveness.

Credibility flag: Informative, Verify

Claimed Facts (7)

• This is a verifiable statement about a feature being tested.
• This describes the functionality of the new feature.
• This explains how the messaging system works with the new feature.
• This specifies the geographic availability of the test feature.
• This presents specific user statistics from a market intelligence firm.
• This is a factual statement about recent feature additions.
• This describes the message filtering process.

Opinions (3)

• This is an interpretation of the company's intentions based on its actions.
• This is the company's perspective on the benefit of the feature.
• This is a speculative statement about the future of the feature.

Claims (2)

• While attributed to a report, the claim of surpassing a major competitor requires careful scrutiny of Similarweb's methodology and data.
• The continuous increase in daily active users is a positive spin that may not reflect the complete picture of user engagement.

Key Sources

• Aisha Malik — Author
• Meta — Company
• Similarweb — Market intelligence firm