Twitter has acknowledged the presence of a spam issue within direct messages (DMs) and has taken action by modifying the default DM setting.

Moving forward, messages from users you don’t follow will be redirected to the “Message request” section. DMs from people you follow will be automatically sorted into your primary inbox. Additionally, if you’re not following them, messages from verified users with a Twitter Blue subscription will also be placed in the “Message request” section. This marks a departure from the previous arrangement.

According to Twitter, the new setting is already in effect and aims to reduce spam in inboxes. In a tweet, the company stated, “Starting as soon as July 14th, we’re adding a new messages setting that should help reduce the number of spam messages in DMs. With the new setting enabled, messages from users who you follow will arrive in your primary inbox, and messages from verified users who you don’t follow will be sent to your message request inbox. Users who previously had their permissions set to allow message requests from everyone will be migrated to this new setting but can switch back at any time.”

Twitter has also updated its DMs FAQ page. As mentioned in the tweet, users have the option to revert to their previous Twitter DM setting if preferred.

To adjust DM settings on the desktop version, open the inbox, locate the settings menu at the top right (gear icon), and select from options such as “allow messages from people you follow,” “allow message requests from only verified users,” or “allow message requests from everyone.” There is also an option to display read receipts. Users can use the same process to modify settings on the Twitter app for iOS or Android.

While the updated setting offers advantages for certain users, the automatic sorting of messages into the “message requests” section may not always be advantageous. DMs can serve as a valuable tool for expanding social connections and facilitating business opportunities, such as connecting with potential clients. They also play a crucial role for journalists in sourcing quotes and stories by engaging with regular users.