Threads introduces Live Chats for real-time conversations

Meta’s social platform Threads is introducing a new feature called “Live Chats,” aimed at boosting real-time interaction and making the app more relevant during major cultural moments.

The company announced that Live Chats will allow users to participate in real-time conversations around events such as sports games, music releases, and other trending topics. 

The feature is initially being rolled out to a limited group of creators, with broader access expected over time.

Live Chats are debuting within the NBA community on Threads during the playoffs, with media personalities hosting discussions as games unfold. 

Participants can send messages, photos, videos, links, and emoji reactions, while up to 150 users can actively contribute to a chat at once. 

Additional users can join as spectators, where they can view content, react, and take part in polls.

The move reflects Threads’ ongoing effort to strengthen its position against competitors like X, which has long been known for real-time updates and live commentary. 

When Threads launched, it faced criticism for lacking features such as hashtags, robust search, and chronological feeds—tools that are now gradually being integrated into the platform.

Meta says Live Chats are designed to go beyond traditional group messaging by focusing on shared, time-sensitive experiences. 

Users can access chats through community feeds, shared posts, or by tapping a live indicator on a host’s profile. While chats end after a set time, they remain publicly accessible afterward.

To address safety concerns, Threads will automatically detect and remove content that violates its policies. 

Hosts will also have moderation controls, including the ability to remove participants or shift them into spectator mode.

Looking ahead, Meta plans to expand the feature with updates such as co-hosting options, live play-by-play integrations, lock-screen widgets highlighting chat activity, and tools to share chat messages directly to users’ feeds.

The rollout marks another step in Threads’ evolution as it seeks to become a go-to destination for real-time digital conversations.