Instagram Threads, the innovative alternative to Elon Musk’s X, is testing an intriguing new feature designed to enhance user privacy. This update allows users to make their interactions on the platform less visible by customizing their profiles to hide the tab displaying replies. With this change, only the tabs showing posts and reposts will remain visible, offering users a more discreet experience without necessitating a switch to a fully private profile.
This new feature permits users to maintain a semi-private presence, where posts remain visible to a broader audience, but responses to others are less accessible. Typically, the Threads “For You” feed showcases a blend of posts, including replies, though these are already less likely to be highlighted by the algorithm. By disabling the replies tab on user profiles, Threads is taking a step further to minimize the visibility of these interactions, adding a layer of privacy.
The feature was brought to light by Alessandro Paluzzi, a Threads user and reverse engineer, and is reportedly being rolled out for iOS users. An Instagram spokesperson confirmed that this test is currently limited to a select group and has not been launched widely.
For users interested in exploring this option, accessing it is straightforward. Simply navigate to the “Edit Profile” button on your Threads profile and locate the “Show your Replies” option. This feature is enabled by default, but you can easily turn it off if desired. Even when this feature is disabled, users can still view their replies privately within the Threads app settings, alongside other personal content such as Saved items, Likes, and Archive.
Threads has also introduced other controls to manage interactions, like restricting who can reply to posts. Users can choose whether anyone can reply, only people they follow, or only those mentioned in their posts—a feature reminiscent of X.
This privacy-centric approach might encourage more user engagement, allowing people to interact more freely without their replies being overly scrutinized. As X likewise made Likes private to increase user comfort and engagement, Threads’ new feature might similarly foster a more engaging and user-friendly environment.
