Meta rolled out AI chatbot direct messaging to all Threads users globally, expanding access beyond the limited public feed testing that began in May.

The company said the DM feature responds to community feedback from users seeking more "context" from Meta AI without public conversations. Users can now share Threads posts, images, links, or videos directly with the AI assistant for private follow-up questions.

"The DM experience gives people greater flexibility in how and where they interact with Meta AI," Meta said in a statement. The feature mirrors similar AI chat capabilities already available across Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp.

Meta AI's public feed presence remains limited to five test markets: Argentina, Malaysia, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, and Singapore. In those regions, users can read Meta AI posts and tag the bot using @meta.ai in public conversations.

The public feed rollout has faced user resistance, with many complaining about unwanted AI-generated content appearing in their feeds. Meta has not provided a way to block the AI account entirely, though users can mark posts as "not interested" and mute Meta AI replies.

The global DM launch represents Meta's broader push to integrate AI across its social platforms. The company has positioned Meta AI as a conversational assistant that can help users explore topics in depth through one-on-one interactions.

Meta has not disclosed usage metrics for the AI feature or provided a timeline for expanding public feed access beyond the current test markets. The company continues testing the public feed integration while monitoring user feedback and engagement patterns.