Instagram finally adds link sharing to direct messages

Instagram DMs just got a whole lot more useful.

Instagram has infamously not allowed links in the app for years, except in a user's bio (which led to the "link in bio" phenomenon).

But it looks like the photosharing app is finally easing up (partially) on its DM aversion — Instagram's new update just added the ability to share links in direct messages, the company announced on Thursday.

Now users will be able to share and preview website links, and links for phone numbers and addresses, right in their DM thread.

Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

Additionally, Instagram has added support for landscape and portrait mode in DMs, meaning that you no longer have to crop your images before sending them.

Other than continually tweaking Stories, the company's Snapchat clone, Instagram has been focusing on the app's DMs feature. Adding links and removing cropping restrictions are small changes, but help make using Instagram DMs frictionless and more useful. The addition of phone number and address links is particularly interesting since many small businesses use Instagram for online retail.

Instagram continues to ship small features in updates to improve its offerings in an effort to shape the app into a more appealing alternative to Snapchat. With revamped DMs, Instagram is polishing its messaging offerings which in the past have lagged behind other social networks.

The link feature is already available to all users starting Thursday, and portrait and landscape DMs are available to iOS users on Thursday as well. Don't worry Android users, this functionality will be coming to you too soon.