Tumblr is trying out something new. New for their social media platform anyway - instant messaging. As expected, this private messaging feature will allow Tumblr users to have conversations with their fellow users and followers.

For now the feature is limited to purely text messages, which will no doubt have you emoji fiends and gif connoisseurs reeling in agony. This is set to change however, as a Tumblr representative informed Engadget that the integration of media for the instant messaging service is on the way. Before rushing off to try out the instant messaging however, it is only available to roughly 1500 Tumblr users at this stage.

If you perhaps know such a users, they can message you, therefore gifting you access to the service as well. Also worth noting, is the ability to shut off IM in the settings tab of Tumblr, should you not be keen on dealing with over-enthusiastic followers or trolls.