Meta tests 'Threads Friends' for private group sharing in select regions

Threads Introduces Private Sharing Feature

Meta's Threads platform is currently testing 'Threads Friends,' a new feature designed for more private content sharing. This functionality is being rolled out in Ireland, Italy, and Japan, allowing users to share posts with a limited audience rather than all followers.

The 'Threads Friends' list can include up to 50 individuals, referred to as 'Thriends.' Posts shared using this feature are only visible to those on the designated list, providing a more controlled sharing environment within the app.

Feature Mechanics and User Experience

Meta is assisting users in creating their initial 'Threads Friends' lists by suggesting followers with whom they frequently interact. Users retain the ability to customize this list. Once established, a green bubble at the top of the feed allows users to view 'Friends' posts shared within the past 24 hours.

While detailed images of the feature are not yet widely available, Laura Javier, product design director for Threads, provided a preview of how friends-only posts will appear. An Easter egg will also change the display name from 'Threads Friends' to 'Thriends'.

Context and Future Plans

This feature bears resemblance to Twitter's 'Circles,' which was introduced in 2022 and allowed users to limit posts to groups of up to 150, before being discontinued approximately a year later. It is currently unclear if or when Meta plans to expand the 'Threads Friends' test beyond the initial three countries.

Users in non-test regions will not have access to create or use the feature, but they can see friends-only posts if they are added to a list by someone in a test country.