Instagram has quietly introduced a new feature that allows users to schedule direct messages, a move that is expected to be particularly useful for creators and brands. The Meta-owned social network confirmed the global rollout of the feature to TechCrunch on Monday.

The scheduling feature will enable users to plan and send messages at optimal times, taking into account different time zones and personal preferences. This can be especially beneficial for creators and brands that want to reach their audience at specific times, such as during peak engagement hours or when promoting a new product or service. Regular users can also use the feature to send reminders or messages to friends at a later time.

The new feature was first spotted by social media expert Lindsey Gamble, who noticed the update in the Instagram app. To schedule a direct message, users can type out a message, hold down the send button, and then select a date and time to send the message. According to testing, Instagram allows users to schedule a message up to 29 days in advance.

Once a message is scheduled, users will see a banner notifying them that they have "1 scheduled message" every time they open the chat until the DM is delivered. This feature is part of Instagram's ongoing efforts to enhance its direct messaging capabilities, which have become an essential part of the platform's user experience.

In recent weeks, Instagram has introduced several new features to its direct messaging service, including the ability to share locations with friends via DMs, directly challenging services like Apple's Find My and Snapchat's Snap Map. The platform has also started allowing users to customize names in DMs by adding nicknames for themselves or others.

For creators, Instagram has added tools that enable them to sort and filter their message requests. Creators can now sort through these messages by follower count, verified accounts, brands, creators, and other factors. These updates demonstrate Instagram's commitment to improving the user experience and providing more value to its users, particularly creators and brands.

The rollout of the scheduling feature for direct messages is a significant development in the evolution of Instagram's messaging capabilities. As the platform continues to innovate and add new features, it is likely to remain a popular choice for users and businesses alike. With its growing suite of messaging tools, Instagram is well-positioned to become an even more essential part of the social media landscape.