Easier than ever to have private conversations

Direct Messages are the best way to take your public Twitter conversations private. Today, we’re changing how direct messaging works so that it’s even easier for you to communicate one-to-one or with a chosen group of people, anywhere in the world.

Communicating with people you may or may not know in real life just got easier. Previously, if you wanted to send a Direct Message to the ice cream shop down the street about how much you love their salted caramel flavor, you’d have to ask them to follow you first. With today’s changes, the ice cream shop can opt to receive Direct Messages from anyone; so you can privately send your appreciation for the salted caramel without any barriers.

Changes include:

• A setting that allows you to receive Direct Messages from anyone, even if you don’t follow them. To change your settings follow these instructions.
• Updated messaging rules so you can reply to anyone who sends you a Direct Message, regardless of whether or not that person follows you.
• A new Direct Message button on profile pages on Android and iPhone. You’ll see it on the profiles of people you can send Direct Messages to.

We hope these changes help you connect more easily – and directly – on Twitter with the people, causes and businesses you care about most. If you do receive a Direct Message from someone you don’t want to privately converse with, you can still take steps to stop them.

We’re rolling out these changes starting today to all users around the world. And we have lots more in the works to improve Direct Messages on Twitter, so that the private side of Twitter is just as fulfilling as the public side.