Twitter: DMs now feature ‘read receipts, typing indicators’

Twitter is slowly morphing into an instant messaging platform, thanks to a gaggle of new features in its Direct Messages feature added this week.

Taking, rather obviously, to Twitter, the company announced that users’ sent Direct Messages now boast read receipts, web link previews and typing indicators. These are feature that are part and parcel of instant messaging apps like Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp.

New! Direct Messages are more dynamic than ever with read receipts, typing indicators, and web link previews. pic.twitter.com/VEU92V5Gqj

— Twitter (@twitter) September 8, 2016

It’s an odd addition to a feature that always remained backstage of Twitter’s often ever-changing face, but it’s clear that the company wants to rework Direct Messages.

Twitter’s Direct Messaging feature is slowly morphing into an instant messaging service

Read receipts will take a similar form to WhatsApp, with read DMs displaying a tick alongside its text. And like WhatsApp, users can thankfully disable the feature by heading over to Twitter’s Security tab, but some users aren’t too enthused by the addition.

Some replied to the company’s tweet, querying why the feature needs to exist, and why the company is not “dealing with useful issues, like abuse”. Others displayed their dismay by using GIFs, of course.

@twitter NOBODY ON THIS PLANET WANTS READ RECEIPTS IN DMS

— Brad Sams (@bdsams) September 8, 2016

@De_Li_Yang @bdsams the problem is that Twitter is adding stupid things, instead of dealing with useful issues, like abuse.

— vmcampos (@vmcampos) September 8, 2016

@twitter pic.twitter.com/OdVK2BFQUo

— Richard Kam (@RiotPulse) September 8, 2016

It’s not the first time this year that Twitter’s intention to rework Direct Messaging on the platform has been made concrete. Just last month, the company announced that Direct Messages will also boast its own embeddable button for web creators to embed on their websites.