June 10 (Reuters) - Meta Platforms ( META ) said it

would start rolling out direct messaging on its Threads app,

adding a feature long offered by rivals, in a bid to attract

more users.

Users in select markets, including Hong Kong and Thailand,

will get a dedicated inbox for direct messages on the app as

part of the test, eliminating the need to switch to Instagram's

messaging platform, CEO Mark Zuckerberg said on Tuesday.

Meta said messages on Threads will not be encrypted for now.

Threads and Instagram have long been intertwined as part of

Meta's plans to leverage the image and video sharing platform's

massive user base to better compete with services such as X,

TikTok and Reddit ( RDDT ) for digital ad dollars.

Launched in 2023 as a competitor to Elon Musk's X, then

known as Twitter, following his chaotic takeover of the

platform, Threads quickly attracted consumers and now boasts

over 350 million monthly active users.

Meta announced the expansion of advertising on Threads to

all eligible advertisers globally in April. However, the company

has said it did not expect Threads to be a "meaningful driver"

of revenue growth in 2025.

Research firm Emarketer expects Threads' U.S. monthly active

users will grow 17.5% to 60.5 million by next year, surpassing

X, whose user base is expected to decline 14.4% to 50 million.

U.S. trade restrictions and the rise of AI-powered ad

targeting have pushed social media platforms to enhance their

offerings, adding distinctive features and sharper user

experiences to stand out in a saturated market.