Meta, the parent company of Instagram, announced a new feature called Blend through a Threads post. Blend enables users to create a custom Reels feed within Instagram’s direct messaging (DM) chats, shared with friends or group members.
According to Meta, “Blend lets you and your friends create a unique feed of Instagram Reels based on content suggested for each participant.” The feature curates Reels based on participants’ Instagram activity.
How Blend Works
Blend operates within Instagram DMs, supporting both one-on-one and group chats. Users initiate a Blend by sending invitations to chat members. Once at least one person accepts, the Blend feed activates in the chat. The feed refreshes daily with new Reels and updates when a Reel is shared in the chat.
Each Reel is labeled with the name of the person it was suggested for, visible only to Blend participants. Each chat can have its own unique Blend with different members, and a notification alerts the chat when the feed refreshes.
Steps to Use Blend
Meta provided these steps to start a Blend:
- Open a DM chat and tap the Blend icon in the top-right corner.
- Send an invite to your friend or group.
- After acceptance, tap the Blend icon in the chat to view the feed.
- Explore Reels tailored for you and your friends.
Engaging with Blend Reels
Users can interact with Reels in a Blend by sending messages or quick reactions within the chat, with the discussed Reel displayed alongside the message. Public interactions, such as liking, commenting, or sharing, are available via the standard icons on the right side of the Reel.
Customizing Content Suggestions
To adjust suggested Reels, users can tap the three dots at the bottom-right of a Reel and select “Interested” or “Not Interested” to influence future recommendations.
The feed updates when someone joins or leaves the Blend, adding or removing Reels suggested for that person. Instagram’s sensitive content settings apply, with the strictest filter among participants determining the content displayed.
Meta noted that Blend may introduce users to content outside their usual recommendations, driven by friends’ preferences. However, this could also highlight differing tastes among friends, potentially affecting the user experience.
Availability
Meta stated that the Blend feature is rolling out in select countries, though specific regions were not specified.