Twitter is experimenting with a new approach to sending direct messages. For now, the test is only for users with iOS devices. The ‘new’ feature allows users to hop into another person’s inbox via a link in their tweets, rather than using the DM button on the user’s profile. According to the company, this will make it easier for you to “start a discussion” from your timeline.
Take a closer look at both images displayed above.
The one on the left (GIF image) was a tweet activity in 2016 when Twitter tested a similar feature that year. It was a DM icon integrated into users direct answer options. The Social site was attempting to increase DM engagement back then by providing a simple approach to respond to a person’s tweet in one tap. The still image on the right shows Twitter testing the same feature for iOS users in 2022.
Three months to this time and it would have been 6 years since Twitter announced it was testing a new feature for iOS and Android users, making it easy to link to tweets within DMs with just a few clicks. But why the long wait, and only to come up with the same update after 6 years? And despite the company claims that DM activity grew by 60% in 2015, it still did not give it a push until now.
Twitter doesn’t seem to be listening to the market. There has been a strong cry for their EDIT feature on the platform. Perhaps that would restrict more of the unruly behaviours of users on their platform. Even allowing someone to send you a DM straight from a tweet isn’t necessary for now, as this can lead to negative interactions or abuse.
Abusive behaviour has long been an issue on Twitter, though the company has been working to resolve it. If this DM feature ever makes it out of testing, it’s unclear whether users will be able to disable it for safety and privacy reasons.
