GoKawiilMeta tests 'Threads Friends' close-friends sharing feature in three countries
Threads is piloting a feature called "Threads Friends," letting users share posts privately with up to 50 selected followers, nicknamed "Thriends." The test is currently limited to Ireland, Italy and Japan, with the app suggesting frequent contacts to populate the list automatically, though users can customize it. A green bubble at the top of the feed lets users view friends-only posts shared in the past 24 hours.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
The feature echoes Twitter's defunct 'Circles' tool, suggesting Meta may be testing whether demand exists for more intimate, curated sharing spaces that bigger platforms have struggled to sustain. Since the rollout is limited to three countries with no confirmed US timeline, it signals Meta is cautiously evaluating engagement before any wider expansion. If successful, it could shift Threads further toward semi-private social sharing rather than purely public posting.
- Threads Friends is being tested in Ireland, Italy and Japan, allowing private sharing with up to 50 followers.
- The feature resembles Twitter's discontinued 'Circles' tool, raising questions about its staying power.
- No confirmed timeline exists for a broader or US rollout, so most users won't see it yet.
Source: engadget.com — Karissa Bell, 2026-10-29
Published there as: “Meta is testing 'Threads Friends' for sharing posts with smaller groups”
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