Twitter makes it easier for stranger to send direct message

Twitter is expanding its popular direct message feature to allow users to receive messages from other users regardless if they follow each other. The move is part of its ongoing effort to try to boost user growth as pressure from Wall Street investors continues.

Twitter said Monday its direct message system, which allows users to communicate privately, used to require each user be "following" one another, effectively having made a connection beforehand. Now, Twitter said, the direct messages will operate for anyone who chooses to opt in to the feature.

The feature could be particularly beneficial for large companies and celebrities, who will now be able to respond to people who send them messages without having to establish a connection beforehand.

Twitter had tested this feature in the past, making it available to a portion of its users in 2013. But Twitter didn't push the effort further, until now.

Users can now turn on a setting that enables them to receive direct messages from anyone. And on mobile devices running Apple's iOS or Google's Android operating system, users will see a direct message button on profiles. 

Twitter also now allows users you follow to direct message you, whether they follow you or not.

These refinements, Twitter said, will make direct messaging faster and easier because people will be able to more simply communicate. The changes are rolling out worldwide Monday. 

"We continue to invest in our private channel to lay the foundation for a powerful and engaging messaging experience," Twitter said in a blog post Monday.

-CNET

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'Tunde Ojedokun is an Editor working for Lappyphone, he loves technology. You can't see him without a gadget. .