In Instagram messaging, what does 'DM' stand for?

In Instagram messaging, “DM” stands for “Direct Message.” It refers to a private message sent through Instagram Direct rather than a public post or comment.

Instagram announced Instagram Direct in December 2013. The feature allowed users to send private photos and videos, and later expanded to support text, emoji, shared posts, profiles, locations, links, and other content. Messages from people a user does not follow may appear as requests or pending messages until accepted.

The abbreviation is not unique to Instagram: “direct message” is also widely used on services such as X and Facebook. “Private message,” or PM, is another common term, especially on forums. On Instagram, however, DM and DM are the standard shorthand users use when asking someone to contact them privately. Instagram also supports disappearing media and other temporary messaging features, but those are message types—not alternative meanings of DM.