Meta is testing a new AI-powered reply feature inside Threads, but many users are already pushing back against the chatbot’s growing presence on the social platform.
Quick Summary – TLDR:
- Meta is testing AI generated replies inside Threads conversations.
- Users can tag @meta.ai to get context, recommendations, and trend explanations.
- The feature is currently being tested in Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, Argentina, and Singapore.
- Some users are frustrated because they cannot fully block the Meta AI account.
What Happened?
Meta has started testing a new Threads feature that allows users to mention Meta AI directly inside posts and replies. The chatbot can answer questions about trending topics, live events, sports, entertainment, and breaking news without users needing to leave the app.
The feature is currently in beta and limited to a small group of users in select countries. While Meta says the tool is designed to improve real time conversations and discovery on Threads, the rollout has already sparked criticism from users who say they want more control over how AI appears in their feeds.
Okay, so meta released the MetaAI on threads for the kind of similar work that grok does.
— Piyush Bhasarkar (@TechKard) May 12, 2026
But you can’t tag it 🥴 pic.twitter.com/vyDHFwqW2T
Meta Wants Threads to Become More Interactive
The new feature works similarly to Grok on X. Users can tag @meta.ai during conversations to ask questions such as:
- “Why are people talking about the World Cup this month?”
- “Whose Met Gala looks are trending right now?”
- “How are the Knicks doing in the playoffs?”
Meta AI then responds publicly under the thread, offering explanations, recommendations, or extra context based on the topic being discussed.
The company says the goal is to make Threads more useful during live conversations and trending moments. Instead of searching elsewhere for answers, users can stay inside the app while getting information instantly.
Meta also confirmed that the chatbot replies in the same language used in the original post, helping the feature feel more natural in global conversations.
Users Are Upset About Limited Controls
Despite the feature’s convenience, many users are unhappy about the inability to fully block the Meta AI account during testing.
Several users discovered that the @meta.ai profile either lacked a working block option or returned errors when they attempted to block it. Reactions quickly spread across Threads, with users posting comments like:
“We don’t want you here”
“Give us the ability to block you”
“Either I get to block you or I uninstall this app”
At one point, complaints about blocking Meta AI reportedly became one of the top trending discussions on Threads itself.
Meta spokesperson Christine Pai reportedly told media outlets that users can still mute Meta AI replies, hide responses, or mark posts as “Not interested.” However, those controls are not the same as completely blocking the account.
That difference has become a major point of criticism. Many users feel muting or hiding AI content does not provide the same level of control as blocking a normal profile.
The Bigger Debate Around AI on Social Platforms
The backlash highlights a larger debate happening across social media platforms as companies aggressively push AI into everyday experiences.
Meta has been steadily integrating AI across its ecosystem, including Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, and now Threads. The company is also testing other AI driven tools like personalized feed controls and AI customer support systems.
For Meta, adding AI directly into conversations could help keep users engaged longer while making Threads more competitive against X.
However, critics argue that AI assistants should remain optional tools instead of becoming unavoidable parts of social feeds. Some users worry that AI accounts are being treated differently from regular accounts, especially when standard controls like blocking are unavailable.
The comparison to X’s Grok chatbot has also raised concerns. Grok previously faced backlash after generating offensive and controversial responses on the platform. While Meta says its AI includes stronger safeguards, users remain cautious about giving chatbots more visibility inside public conversations.
Meta says it plans to continue gathering feedback during the beta test before expanding the feature to more users globally.
SQ Magazine Takeaway
I think Meta is making a risky move by pushing AI deeper into social conversations before giving users proper control tools. People may enjoy quick answers and recommendations, but social media users also want the freedom to decide what appears in their space. If Meta wants users to trust AI on Threads, giving them the ability to fully block or remove the chatbot should have been included from day one. Convenience alone is not enough when users feel forced into an AI experience they did not ask for.
