A method and apparatus for incorporating a third user into an instant message (IM) session. In one embodiment, an IM server receives a first IM from a first user directed toward a second user. The IM server makes a determination that the second user is not available to respond to the first IM. In response to the determination, the IM server identifies a third user to whom the first IM is to be forwarded, and automatically forwards the first IM to the third user. In another embodiment, the IM server receives a transfer request from the second user to transfer the IM session from the second user to the third user. The IM server automatically determines a subset portion of a plurality of IMs communicated between the first user and the second user, and provides the transfer request and the subset portion to the third user.