Threads is introducing a redesigned web interface that includes direct messages, a navigation sidebar, and quicker access to features previously buried in its mobile-first layout. Connor Hayes, who assumed leadership of Threads in September 2025, shared details about the overhaul, noting the importance of the web for engaged users and future investments in it. The new design offers a cleaner single-feed layout with a left-side navigation rail, streamlining access to features like saved posts and performance insights, making them easier to find than in the previous multi-column format. The redesign aligns more with X’s desktop layout, possibly acknowledging the effectiveness of that format. Web DMs, launched in June 2025 on mobile, will soon be available on web, allowing for private chats and media sharing, enhancing the experience for desktop users. Threads continues to evolve its messaging infrastructure, integrating features like a basketball mini-game and converting “DM me” into clickable direct message links. The changes come as Threads surpasses 450 million monthly active users, a rapid growth milestone. While Bluesky captures a distinct market segment, Threads’ integration with Instagram provides a distribution advantage. The redesign aims to shift the focus from growth to retention, addressing feature gaps and making the platform essential for power users. Monetization efforts include a global rollout of ads, leveraging high desktop user engagement to bolster revenue projections. Connor Hayes’ leadership reflects Threads’ commitment to refining its platform, bringing web functionalities closer to mobile equivalence while aligning with user expectations and supporting its growing creator economy.
Threads Redesigns Website and Adds Desktop Direct Messaging
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