Social Rocket
Threads is getting a private space for posts: with "Threads Friends", Meta is testing a list of up to 50 selected contacts. Instead of sharing every thought publicly, users will be able to decide which posts only their closer circle can see. The test has been running since 29 October 2026 in Ireland, Italy and Japan. Users in Germany can also see relevant posts if they are added to someone's list by a person taking part in the test.
A second feed for conversations among friends
The idea is reminiscent of "Close Friends" on Instagram, but on Threads it goes beyond a simple visibility setting. Anyone taking part in the test can put together their own circle of friends and share certain posts exclusively with them. Other list members can see who replies to or reacts to such posts within the group. For added people, membership is recognisable on the relevant posts.
According to Engadget, citing a company spokesperson, Meta initially suggests contacts with whom users interact particularly often. The list can then be edited. A green circle above the feed opens friends' posts from the past 24 hours.
This creates a new way of using the app: the regular Threads feed remains for public debate. Personal observations, spontaneous questions and conversations in a small circle get a place of their own – without having to switch to a group chat straight away.
Why Meta is testing smaller circles right now
Threads has grown strongly in recent months. Meta reported in June 2026 more than 500 million monthly active users, while also investing in interest-based communities, dedicated topic feeds and the "Your Algo" setting. While these tools lead people into new discussions, Threads Friends builds on existing relationships.
It complements the introduction of messages and group chats on Threads. Since October 2025, Meta has also been expanding message exchange there in the EU. The new friends list sits between public communities and private chats: a post remains a post, but is shared only with a small group.
The platform is thus moving further from a single public conversation space towards several social layers. This can be particularly interesting for users who run a public account for professional topics but prefer to discuss some thoughts with people they trust.
What does this mean for creators and brands?
For professional accounts, the new test is above all a sign of how Meta plans to organise engagement in future. Public posts create discovery; smaller groups can encourage recurring conversations. Anyone building an active community may benefit from both over the long term.
However, Threads Friends is currently a contact list and not an announced brand product with analytics, ad placements or a paid membership. An ad account therefore cannot buy reach within these groups for now. Brands should continue to rely on public formats, replies and transparent community work.
Related to this, Srocket has already described how Threads is expanding Live Chats for community discussions, which separate advertising rights Threads is getting, and how Threads Insights breaks down post performance. The test adds a new, deliberately smaller audience format to these tools.
Germany is still waiting for its own access
Meta has not yet announced a date for a general launch. For German users, there are currently two cases: you can receive a Friends post from one of the three test countries if you are on the corresponding list. According to the information published so far, users in Germany cannot yet create their own Threads Friends list.
The next interesting questions concern moderation, notifications and the role such private posts will play in everyday Threads use. What is already clear today: Meta is trying to tie personal conversations more closely to the feed again.
Sources: Threads statement on the test feature; Social Media Today, 29. October 2026; Engadget, 29. October 2026; Meta, Threads communities and 500-million milestone; Meta, Introduction of DMs and group chats.
Illustrative image: Vitaly Gariev / Unsplash. No capture of the Threads Friends interface.