On Facebook What Does DM Mean? When and How to Use It

Last Updated on November 10, 2023 by

DM is a short form of Direct Message. So, ‘check your DM’ means checking your Facebook Messenger message box to continue a conversation without letting others know.

The meaning of DM on Facebook

DM on Facebook means sending a direct message to an individual. Others won’t see; you and the receiver are the only ones who will view the information. If you see the ‘check your DM’ in the comment section, the sender wants you to continue the conversation privately through the messenger.

You can use it too to alert anyone (friends and non-friends) to view their private messages and continue chatting without 3^rd party interference.

Some people use the term PM to alert users of direct messages. PM means private messages, and it is the same as DM. So, if you see ‘PM me on Facebook,’ it is the same as ‘DM me on Facebook,” and it means continuing with private conversation through the messenger.

Anyone, i.e., friends and non-friends, can send and receive DMs on Facebook. However, you should have Facebook Messenger App on mobile or use a browser to login into your account and click on the message icon on the user’s profile to utilize the DM feature.

What is the requirement for Direct Messages?

To send or receive direct messages on Facebook, you need to meet certain requirements.

Requirements for sending direct messages:

• You must have a Facebook account: You can’t send or receive direct messages if you don’t have a Facebook account.
• You must be friends with the person you want to message: You can only send direct messages to people who are your Facebook friends. Exceptions include: people you’ve met on Marketplace, people you’ve encountered on Facebook Dating, businesses or Pages you’ve connected with, and people you’ve connected with through a mentorship group.
• You must have your Facebook Messenger app up to date: If your Facebook Messenger app is outdated, you may not be able to send or receive direct messages.
• You must be using a supported device or browser: Facebook Messenger can be used on most devices and browsers, but some older devices or browsers may not be supported.

Requirements for receiving direct messages:

• You must have your Messenger app up to date: If you don’t have your Facebook Messenger app up to date, you may not be able to receive direct messages.
• You must have your notifications turned on: If your notifications are turned off, you won’t be alerted when you receive a direct message.
• You must not have your profile set to private: If your profile is set to private, only friends and people you approve can send you direct messages.

What are the character limits for DM on Facebook?

The character limit for direct messages (DMs) on Facebook is 20,000 characters. This applies to both individual and group messages. This means that you can send a very long message without having to worry about it being truncated. However, it is important to note that Facebook may not send your messages if you get too close to the limit.

In addition to the character limit, there are also some other restrictions on DMs on Facebook:

• You can only forward a message to up to 5 chats at a time.
• If you previously violated Facebook’s policies, there will be limits on the content that you can forward from one chat to another within a specific period of time.

Here are some tips for keeping your DMs on Facebook concise and engaging:

• Use clear and concise language.
• Break up your messages into paragraphs.
• Use emojis and other visuals to add personality to your messages.
• Proofread your messages before sending them.

By following these tips, you can ensure that your DMs on Facebook are easy to read and enjoyable to receive.

How to Check a DM on Facebook

Have you seen ‘check your DM’ in the comment section? Or do you want to check if you have received any direct messages? Follow the steps below:

Step 1: On your Facebook page, click on the messenger icon at the top right corner

Step 2: The chats list will open with the most recent ones at the top.

Step 3: Click on any to read and reply if you wish to

If someone, not a friend, sends you a DM, you will receive a message request. To view it:

1. Click the message icon at the top right on your page
2. Click the three dots at the top next to the chats
3. Tap on message request. You can choose to reply to begin a conversation or click ‘I don’t want to hear from (user’s name).

How to send a DM to a Facebook user

Now that you know what DM means, you might be wondering how to send one to someone on Facebook. DM by following the steps below:

Step 1: Log in to your Facebook account

Step 2: Go to the home page and click messenger on the left menu

Step 3: Type the name of the user into the To field. When you start typing, friends’ names will appear, and you can select them accordingly.

Step 4:  Select a user(s) you want to DM

Step 5: Types your message and press to send or enter to start private chats.

Alternatively, you can go to the profile page of the user you want to DM after login in. Tap on the message icon above their profile to start private chats.

Can you send DM on a Facebook page?

If the messaging feature is enabled, you can send a DM on the Facebook page. To do so, follow the steps below:

Step 1: Log in to your account and click on pages in the left menu.

Step 2: Select the page you want to DM

Step 3: Click on send message icon below the page cover photo.

Step 4: Start a conversation by typing the message you wish to send

Step 5: Click send, and wait for a reply. You can comment on their feed ‘Check your DM’ to alert the page manager.

N/B:

• If the messaging feature is turned off, you won’t see the option to message on a Facebook page. You have to contact them by posting on their page, but the message will be available to everyone.

• Some Facebook pages use automated messaging bots to respond to customers on time efficiently. If you aren’t satisfied, you may have to wait until someone personally gets in touch.  

When can you use DM on Facebook?

You can use DM feature anytime for various purposes including;

Communicating to individuals directly

You can always use DM whenever you want to communicate directly to any Facebook user. For instance, you can slide into someone’s DM if you want to send romantic texts. Sliding on DM means you want to woo someone. Sending DM is best as they can comfortably reply. You won’t be ashamed if they don’t text back since no one else saw your messages.

Networking

Building a reputable social network on Facebook is not a mean task. Connect through DM to build a community that can support your business and job growth or connects you to work opportunities.

Responding to negative comments

DM is also crucial when responding to negative comments about your business. If a user gives negative criticism about a brand you promote on your business Facebook page, it is good to seek more info through DMs. Once you address the customer’s concerns, close the case by responding publicly on your page. Apologize and indicate the case is sorted. This will prevent long-winded communication from playing out in public as you would have already sorted the customer issues.

Marketing purposes

When the marketing strategy appeals to the recipient, you can send them a promotional DM to add a personal touch to the message. For example; sending private messages on a special promotion to users who qualify. This prevents others from feeling left out. However, avoid overusing DM for sending updates, promotions, and offers as it can annoy the users, consequently affecting your business performance.

What does DM for promotion mean?

If you operate a business page, you might receive a message in the comment section, ‘DM for promotion.’ This is normally sent by influencers seeking an opportunity to promote your business. It is a way to show you they are available for advertising, and you can reach out through DM.

Influencers with huge followings can leverage their followers to boost your business. So, if you are interested, navigate to their page and send them a DM to start a conversation.

How do you block DM from a Facebook profile

DM is a good feature to help Facebook users take their conversations off the public. However, some users misuse it. They can use the messenger to stalk you or send you unsolicited texts. If a user bothers you on DM, you can block them through the steps below;

Step 1: Log in to your account, go to the home page and click the messaging icon on the left menu

Step 2: Open the message from the profile you want to block

Step 3: Click a drop-down menu at the top of the conversation

Step 4: Different options will pop up; click block

Step 5: Select ‘block messages and calls

Step 6: Click block

What happens when you block someone from sending you DM

If you block someone on your DM, they can still:

• View your Facebook profile
• Post and comment on your profile
• See your messages in your shared group conversation
• Communicate with you in a room that you both are in if they didn’t log in to their profile

But, they won’t:

• DM you
• Receive your DMs
• Join a room when both of you are logged in to your respective Facebook profiles

Can you tell if someone has read your DM on messenger?

Yes. When your DM is sent, you will see a checked blue circle next to the chat and a filled-in blue circle when delivered. Once the receiver reads, you will see a small version of their profile photo next to the chat.

Tips for effectively using DM on Facebook for networking

DM is useful in networking, but some can misuse it. Use it effectively to attract and maintain people on your network. Here are some useful tips to help you achieve the most.

• Address your target user by name- This adds some personal touch to your message while keeping it professional

• Personalize the message- Don’t send general messages. Please include information about the recipient to show them you are interested in their identity or what they do.

• Be professional- Construct grammatically correct messages free of spelling errors. This way, your recipient will take your message seriously and even reply. Please indicate your name at the end of the message so they can address you in their response.

• Point out your value- If targeting a brand or individuals for business, sponsorship, or collaboration; indicate the value you can provide them.

• Be concise and interesting- Craft short, easy-to-read, interesting messages to increase the chances of getting a reply.

• Include a call to action- Encourage the user to reply by including a call to action. For example, ‘I will be happy to hear from you’ or ‘Let me know who to contact’ when contacting a company.

Key Insights & Takeaway!

Facebook is a huge social media platform connecting you to many people worldwide. However, sometimes posting comments to be seen by millions may be uncomfortable in some instances. In such cases, use DM on Facebook to send private messages and contact friends and non-friends directly. You can also use it to promote your business.

References:

https://sproutsocial.com/glossary/direct-message-dm/
https://ourtechroom.com/tech/dm-on-facebook-how-to-use-it/