Instagram is developing new “Chat Widgets” to enhance engagement in direct messages (DMs), according to recent findings by app researcher Alessandro Paluzzi. The feature, still in development and not yet in public testing, aims to provide users with additional tools and indicators within their chat flows.

Paluzzi’s screenshots reveal three potential widgets:

1. Countdown widget: Allows users to create a countdown within the chat.
2. Timezone widget: Displays the local time of each chat participant.
3. Pinned content widget: Offers quick access to pinned content.

According to Social Media Today, these widgets could drive more engagement by adding informational elements directly into conversations. For brands, the feature may offer new opportunities for customer interaction, such as using the countdown widget to present time-sensitive offers.

Social Media Today says this development aligns with a broader trend in social media towards private sharing, as opposed to public posting. Instagram has been introducing various private sharing elements, including the popular inbox Notes feature, to cater to this shift in user behavior.