What to know:

  • Instagram is testing a new feature named ‘Community Chat,’ inspired by Discord’s group chat format.
  • Users can form interest-based groups with up to 250 members, fostering deeper engagement.
  • Admins will have tools to moderate content and ensure compliance with community standards.
  • The feature is currently in internal testing, with no official launch date announced.

Instagram is gearing up to introduce a new feature called ‘Community Chat,’ which takes inspiration from Discord’s popular group chat model. This upcoming tool aims to enhance the social media platform’s community-building capabilities by allowing users to create interest-based chat groups of up to 250 members.

Screenshots shared by developer Alessandro Paluzzi on Threads reveal that the feature is still in the testing phase. These groups will provide users with an exclusive space to connect over shared interests, offering a more intimate setting compared to Instagram’s existing Broadcast Channels. While Broadcast Channels focus on one-way communication from creators to followers, Community Chats promise a more interactive experience where all members can actively participate in discussions.

Moderation tools are also part of the package, empowering admins to remove inappropriate messages or even problematic members to maintain a safe and respectful environment. Additionally, Meta will review these chats against its Community Standards to ensure compliance. This moderation capability aligns with similar features Meta has rolled out across its other apps, such as Facebook and Messenger, as well as WhatsApp Communities introduced earlier.

Although Instagram has yet to confirm an official launch date for Community Chat, the move signals its intent to compete directly with platforms like Discord that thrive on fostering micro-communities. With Discord boasting over 200 million active users, Instagram’s adoption of this model could attract new audiences while keeping existing ones engaged in niche discussions.

As Instagram continues testing internally, users eagerly await further announcements about when this feature might become available publicly. Its potential impact on user engagement and brand interactions could make it one of the platform's most significant updates in recent years.

Via: Alessandro Paluzzi