Instagram is currently testing a new feature, called Community Chats, that aims to make it easier to interact with groups of people on the app. Like Discord, this feature allows users to create groups based on topics to converse about in real time things related to them. The goal with this move is to give Instagram an edge in the social messaging space, competing with Discord, Telegram, etc. This is one of a handful of community driven engagement features that Instagram is testing with some users, signaling the company’s focus on building engagement. The outcome of Community Chats could bring a new way for users to communicate on the platform.

Highlights:

• Community Chats enable large-scale, topic-based conversations.
• Instagram aims to boost real-time engagement within its platform.
• The feature positions Instagram against Discord and Telegram.
• Currently, Community Chats is in a limited testing phase.
• This move reflects Instagram’s growing focus on social messaging.

In Instagram’s Community Chats, users will be able to chat live and engage in real time with other users in interest based groups. This feature, unlike traditional group chats, will be more organized and easier for users to navigate group chats. Integrating this messaging system, Instagram is moving toward becoming more social networking by integrating messages into social networks. If the feature catches on, it can attract users who want to jump on Discord but still want to stick with Instagram's visual look.

Due to the strong demand for group communication features, the introduction of Community Chats directly responds. The evolution has been going on for a long time now and extending Instagram beyond a photo-sharing app is yet another stride towards that vision. User engagement of your audiences can be improved through topic-based discussions by creators and brands alike. It also fits in with Meta’s wider strategy to bring the company’s messaging services together across its platforms.

Community Chats is still in its early stage but is something that could change how people interact on Instagram. It gives the structured space to discuss with users who are looking for deeper relationships rather than just following and liking the post. Being widely adopted, it could give Instagram a spot as the center of both content sharing and community building; in a sense beating the currently top messaging apps.