Meta announced that, starting Monday, it is adding its Meta AI chatbot to direct messages (DMs) on Threads, enabling users to converse privately with the assistant. While select markets already allowed interactions with Meta AI in Threads’ public feeds—similar to how Grok works on X—the new integration brings one-on-one chat functionality.
What the update does
With the change, users can share Threads posts, images, links and videos directly with Meta AI inside DMs. Conversations can continue with follow-up questions and deeper exploration of topics, allowing for more interactive assistance rather than single, isolated replies.
Meta noted that Meta AI is already available within DMs on its other platforms, including Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, and this rollout extends that capability to Threads.
Availability
The company said the update will be rolled out globally beginning Monday. It also said it continues to test Meta AI in Threads’ public feeds in a handful of global markets and will consider user feedback before expanding availability further.
Why this matters
By making it easier to talk to an AI chatbot inside Threads, Meta aims to keep users within its ecosystem and reduce reliance on third-party assistants such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT or Google Gemini. The integration positions Threads as a place to get information and recommendations without leaving the app.
Controls for users
Meta described options for users who want fewer Meta AI replies in public feeds: they can mute the @meta.ai account, use the “Not interested” option on any Meta AI post, or hide Meta AI replies that appear on their own posts.
Overall, the move is part of Meta’s broader strategy to weave AI features more tightly into its products so users can access assistance and information without switching services.
