Sending a private message (DM) on X (formerly Twitter) is a straightforward process, you just need to know the basics. This guide will help you understand what exactly a DM on X is, who you can send them to, and the best practices when doing it.
To begin sending a DM on X, you simply need to tap on the envelope icon, located at the bottom right of the app, then select or search for the person you wish to message.
If you're doing it on desktop, then you'll have to click the 'Messages' tab on the left of your screen.
So, as you can see, it's very simple and easy to do! It can be done via your phone or computer without any fuss.
The benefit of a DM is that you can have private conversations with people you follow, away from the public timeline. There is also the ability to have group chats. They’re ideal for talking about things you want to stay private or sharing posts from other users.
They're also useful for handling customer complaints if you're a business because unknown users can't see the conversation. This can be particularly useful when protecting your brand image during a crisis.
There is even the ability to send photos and videos to one another. But remember, you can only DM users who follow you or those who have their privacy settings set to DMs open to anyone.
So, now you are aware of the basics, let’s delve into some tips that will help you get the most out of X DMs.
What is a DM on X?
A DM is a private message that allows you to speak with fellow X users. It allows you to send text, photos, and links away from the public timeline.
Understanding X DMs
Effectively, X DMs are text messages within the X app or website that users can send to one another or in a group.
A benefit of a DM is that it’s not limited to 280 characters like a post (non-premium users), so you can write longer messages.
There are some cool features with DMs as well, such as quick emoji reactions to messages and voice messages. You can also share posts with each other and talk about them privately.
In this guide, we cover the following:
How to send an X DM (desktop and mobile)
Learning how to DM on X is simple, and the process is ultra-easy. It gives you the chance to quickly reach out to other users privately on both desktop and mobile platforms.
Step-by-step guide for desktop
To send an X DM using your computer:
- Log in to your X account
- Click the “Messages” tab on the left navigation bar
- Click the “New message” button (envelope icon)
- Type the username of the person you want to message
- Write your message in the text box
- Add GIFs, photos, or emojis if desired
- Click the blue “Send” button (paper airplane icon)
DMs can only be sent to users who follow you or have open DMs. If you go onto their profile and can't see the envelope icon, it means their DMs are closed.
Step-by-step guide for mobile
Using the X app on your phone to send DMs is just as simple:
- Open the X app and tap the envelope icon
- Tap the “New message” button (plus sign icon)
- Enter the username of the person you want to message
- Type your message in the text field
- Add media like photos or GIFs if you want
- Tap the blue “Send” button to deliver your message
Who can you send an X DM to?
You can send direct messages (DMs) to various users across X, depending on their privacy settings as well as your own. The ability to message others is down to privacy preferences and follower relationships.
Understanding X DM settings
The ability to control who sends you DMs can be changed through your X privacy settings.
The default option is that you can receive DMs from people you follow. However, you can also open DMs to other X users. The downside to this can be that it leads to unwanted spam.
To change your DM settings:
- Go to Settings and Privacy
- Select Privacy and Safety
- Click on Direct Messages
- Toggle the option to receive messages from anyone
Remember, you can always block users who send unwanted DMs.
Sending DMs to non-followers
You can send a DM to people who aren't following you if their privacy settings allow it. If the envelope icon appears on their profile, it means they will accept DMs from anyone. If not, it means they only accept them from people they follow.
To DM a non-follower:
- Click the envelope icon on their profile
- Type your message
- Hit send
The only thing to bear in mind here, is that even if a user has their DMs open, if they don’t follow you then a message to them will go into a separate requests folder. Do be patient if they don’t see it right away, and don’t spam them.
You can also set a quality filter. This will help detect and block spam as well as low-quality messages.
For extra privacy, you can also disable read receipts. This means senders won't know if you've seen their message. You can find this option in your DM settings.
How to manage and organize your DMs
It is important to stay organized with your DMs on your X account by keeping them tidy and responding to important messages in a prompt manner. Here are some ways to do it correctly.
Viewing and replying to DMs
To send a new DM on X, hit the message icon (usually a plus sign) in the top right. Then, type the user's X handle, and type your message. Hit the “Send” icon when done.
A group message is a chat function that lets you message multiple users at once. Create one by tapping the new message icon and adding several usernames.
X will show you when someone has read your message when you see the word 'seen' written below your message.
Organizing your X DMs
If you receive a lot of messages in X, it can be a lot of work to manage them. Here are a few tips to help.
Use the search bar to find older conversations more quickly. Just type in keywords from the message or its X user.
Entire conversations and even single messages can be deleted to clean your inbox up if you need to. Choosing to delete messages, however, doesn't hide them from other users, even if they're gone for you. Tap and hold the message and select ‘delete’ to do this.
Muting notifications can be a useful option for busy group chats, which is done by tapping the ‘bell’ icon in the conversation.
Keep tabs on your DM requests folder for any messages that have come from non-followers, then accept or delete these where appropriate.
There is also an ability to pin more important chats to the top of your inbox for quicker access. Just press and hold the conversation tab and select ‘pin’.
Building relationships through X DMs
Sending private messages on X can require some thought and strategy. Use them wisely if your goal is to build relationships or network. Direct messaging can feel intrusive, especially if coming from a brand. Communicating effectively will go a long way to building substantial relationships.
Here's what you can do to help.
Keeping your messages professional and respectful
First, you will want to ensure that your messages are sent in a professional and respectful tone. Begin with a polite greeting that clearly introduces you, if necessary.
Don’t overdo the message, keep it brief and to the point, respecting the user’s time.
Be personable in your message by referencing shared interests or recent posts. It indicates that you've done your research and aren't just sending generic messages.
Be patient when waiting for a reply, as people can be busy and the last thing they need is to be spammed.
Always proofread your messages as it can look very unprofessional to the other person seeing spelling or grammatical errors.
Remember, DMs represent you or your brand, so make a good first impression. Think about the value you offer before asking for favors. This approach to social media lead generation can be more effective than direct pitching.
Keep your X bio up-to-date and professional. With that in mind, also consider the things you post or repost.
Your profile will be the first thing people check before deciding to engage with your DM. A well-crafted bio can make your outreach more effective and help you nail your social media presence for brands and marketers.
Avoiding spammy or inappropriate messaging
No one wants unsolicited promotions or sales pitches in their DMs, so don't be tempted. It will just look like spam and damage your reputation. Always respect people's privacy, don't give out their personal information without permission.
It's best not to pressure people to respond to you or take action to something. Give them space to digest your message.
Be aware of potential cultural differences when it comes to humor to avoid causing offense to people. If you're unsure about the tone of your message, it’s best to take the side of caution and don’t send.
How to control and protect your privacy in X DMs
If you are to receive an unwanted private message, you can block the sender by opening the message and clicking the block button.
Harmful or abusive DMs can also be reported to X. Appropriate action should be taken if it is serious.
If there are ongoing issues, you can consider making your account private. This will limit who can see your profile, and other users will have to request to follow you.
Be mindful of what you share in a DM with another user because if you don’t know them personally, you can’t always be sure who is on the other side.
The easy thing here is to avoid sending sensitive information to anyone you don’t know, and treat messages to them as if they were public.
Frequently asked questions
X DMs can be a tough space to navigate, so let’s just clear up any common questions that occur when it comes to using them effectively.
How do you send a direct message to someone on X?
Sending a DM can simply be done by tapping the envelope icon on the person’s profile, typing your message and hitting send.
It can also be done through the messages icon and starting a new conversation.
What are the steps to open direct messages on X?
Go to Settings and Privacy, then select Privacy and Safety.
Then tap Direct Messages. Toggle on “Allow message requests from everyone” to open your DMs.
How can you DM X users who don't follow you?
You can DM someone who doesn't follow you if they've enabled open DMs. Look for the envelope icon on their profile. If it's there, you can send a message. But remember, it goes into their DM requests.
Is there a limit to how many direct messages you can send on X?
X limits you to 500 DMs per day. This helps prevent spam.
If you hit the limit, you'll need to wait until the next day to send more messages.
What should you do if you can't send a direct message to someone on X?
Check if the person has open DMs. If not, try mentioning them in a post to start a public conversation.
You could also ask them to follow you back.
Where can you find your direct message inbox on X?
Your DM inbox is in the Messages tab. On mobile, tap the envelope icon at the bottom. On desktop, click Messages in the left sidebar. New messages appear here.
