Threads Live Chats: React, Raise Your Hand, Join on Web

Threads Adds Live Reactions, Raise-Hand, and Web Access to Live Chats

Threads is expanding its Live Chats with features designed to make real-time conversations easier to follow and join. Live reactions, a raise-hand option, and testing for web-based Live Chats give people more ways to take part in public discussions around events as they happen. The updates build on Threads’ event-focused group chats, which bring fans and communities together for shared moments.

What Are Threads Live Chats?

Threads Live Chats are public group conversations tied to live events and cultural moments. They let users exchange messages in real time, with features such as polls and event-specific updates designed to keep the discussion connected to what is happening.

Meta introduced Live Chats in the NBA Threads Community during the NBA Playoffs. Users can find a chat in a Community feed or through a shared Threads post. Hosts are marked with a red live ring around their profile photo.

How Live Reactions and Raise-Hand Work

Live reactions add a quick way to respond as a conversation unfolds. Instead of composing a message, participants can signal how they feel with reactions that appear in the chat. This can help convey the energy of a moment, such as a key play or a major announcement, without interrupting the flow of messages.

The raise-hand feature gives participants a way to indicate that they want to contribute. It can help bring order to a fast-moving conversation by making it easier for hosts and other participants to notice who wants to speak.

Threads Tests Live Chats on the Web

Threads is also testing a web version of Live Chats. Web access could make it more convenient to follow an event conversation from a desktop browser, particularly for people who prefer a larger screen or are already using Threads on a computer. The feature is being tested, so availability may vary.

Threads has separately brought messaging to its web experience, including access to a Messages inbox and message requests. That broader move toward web-based conversations reflects the platform’s effort to make messaging and community interaction available beyond its mobile app.

What Participants Can Do in a Live Chat

• Send messages, photos, videos, and links.
• Use emoji reactions to respond to the conversation.
• Vote in polls and follow event-related updates.
• Join as an active participant when space is available, or follow along in spectator mode when the chat reaches its active-participant limit.

Meta’s initial Live Chats setup allowed up to 150 people to send messages actively. After that limit is reached, additional users can still watch, react, and take part in polls.

Why These Updates Matter for Real-Time Engagement

Live event conversations can move quickly, and not everyone wants to post a full message to participate. Reactions offer a lower-effort response, while raise-hand gives people a way to signal their interest in contributing. Together, these tools support different styles of participation, from quick reactions to more deliberate input.

Web access may also make Live Chats easier to discover and follow across devices. For creators, community hosts, and event organizers, that could mean a more accessible place to bring audiences together during games, premieres, and other shared experiences.

What to Know About Availability

Threads is testing the web version of Live Chats, and access to Live Chats has expanded gradually from its initial NBA Community launch. Specific features may not be available to every user or Community at the same time. Users should check the relevant Threads Community or app experience for current availability.

Conclusion

Live reactions, raise-hand, and web testing extend Threads Live Chats beyond basic group messaging by making real-time participation more flexible. The updates give users more ways to follow and contribute to event conversations, while web access could make those chats easier to join from a desktop. Together, they strengthen Threads’ focus on public, community-driven discussion as events unfold.