Instagram recently announced an update to its direct messages feature, focusing on improving the experience for creators and influencers who receive a large number of messages. The new tools introduced will enable users to sort and filter their message requests, which are messages that do not appear in the main inbox, based on user-set controls.
Users will now have the ability to categorize and filter these message requests by follower count, verified accounts, brands, creators, and other criteria. This feature will assist creators in identifying higher-priority messages that may have a significant impact on their business and relationships, ensuring they receive timely responses.
Moreover, a new “Story Replies” folder will be added to consolidate story replies in one convenient location. These updates come in response to feedback from creators worldwide who have expressed challenges in managing their DMs effectively.
Adam Mosseri, head of Instagram, acknowledged the overwhelming nature of the requests inbox for creators and influencers. He emphasized the importance of providing tools to filter and streamline the messages, making it easier for users to locate specific messages they are seeking. While there is still room for improvement in the DMs and requests features, this update marks a positive step in the right direction.
The “Sort & Filter” options will be displayed as an overlay on top of the inbox, allowing users to organize requests by recency or sender’s follower count. This functionality will help highlight messages from other creators or brands interested in potential business collaborations. Users can also customize their filtering options by selecting verified accounts, businesses, creator accounts, specific subscriber counts, and more.
Instagram has committed to further enhancing its direct messages feature over time, demonstrating a continued investment in improving user experience. These changes align with Meta’s recent inbox-related enhancements for WhatsApp, where users can now filter chats by customized lists, showcasing the company’s dedication to optimizing communication platforms for its users.
