Instagram Threads, Meta's competitor to Elon Musk's X, is testing a new feature that enables users to customize their profile and remove the tab displaying their replies to others' posts. This move aims to provide users with more control over their online interactions and boost engagement on the platform.

The feature, first spotted by Threads user and reverse engineer Alessandro Paluzzi, allows users to toggle off the "Show your Replies" option in their profile settings. By default, this feature is enabled, but users can choose to hide their replies from public view. Notably, even if users disable showing their replies publicly, they can still access them from the Threads app Settings.

This development is part of a broader trend towards increased privacy and control on social media platforms. Threads' move mirrors X's decision earlier this year to make everyone's Likes private, which aimed to encourage users to engage more freely with content. By hiding more personal interactions like replies, Threads may be able to foster a more active and engaged community.

The new feature also builds upon Threads' previous introduction of controls around who can reply to users' posts. Users can choose to limit replies to anyone, profiles they follow, or those they've mentioned only – a feature similar to X. This increased control over online interactions may help users feel more comfortable sharing their thoughts and opinions on the platform.

While the feature is still in testing and has not been publicly launched, an Instagram spokesperson confirmed to TechCrunch that the option to show or hide replies is being rolled out to a "small number of people" on the iOS app. As the platform continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how users respond to this new level of control over their online presence.

The implications of this feature extend beyond individual user experience, as it may also impact the way content is surfaced on the platform. Since Threads' algorithm already reduces the visibility of replies in the "For You" feed, hiding replies on user profiles could make them even harder to discover. This could lead to a shift in the way users interact with content and each other on the platform.

In conclusion, Instagram Threads' new feature marks a significant step towards increased user control and privacy on social media. As the platform continues to develop and refine its features, it will be important to monitor its impact on user engagement and the broader online ecosystem.