Twitter is now allowing direct messages to be sent by users who are not being followed by the recipient.
Previously, only users who follow each other could send direct messages back and forth or users could send messages to accounts that follow them.
The new functionality is optional however and users have to opt in to be able to receive them.
The option could be an added advantage for brands and businesses to receive private messages from their followers.
“If you check this option, any Twitter user that follows you will be able to send you a DM, regardless of whether you decide to follow them back,” says a note before the option is turned on.
Partnering with a number of TV networks this year, the company aims to promote its social networking service.
Earlier this year, Twitter rolled out iOS and Android updates to sync the status of direct messages.
The new account option may not be available to all users at the moment because it is still in the roll out process. It can be enabled from the main settings page on the site.
