Twitter is reworking its direct messaging platform so that users will be able to delete messages more consistently across web and mobile, the company said Friday.
Direct messages are private messages sent between two Twitter users, who follow each other.
The update will synchronize conversations between web and mobile interfaces. “We’re also making an update to the Twitter iPhone and Android apps that will allow you to access your entire DM history,” Twitter support said in a Tweet.
They’ve got competition
Because Twitter has a 140 character limit, it’s questionable whether its messaging function will take off the way more popular messengers like WhatsApp have.
Since Facebook acquired WhatsApp for $19 billion earlier this year, a slew of private messaging companies have emerged to get in on the craze. It’s clear that Twitter is trying to make its own messaging service a more prominent feature.
In April the company introduced pop-up notifications that alert you when someone is interacting with your tweets. This recent update is more about making users feel like they have control of their personal conversations within the app. Though it’s not exactly a full-fledged private messenger, it’s certainly a step in that direction.