Similar features are being developed simultaneously across Meta"s social media platforms, Threads and Instagram. Popular leaker and reverse engineer Alessandro Paluzzi spotted that Instagram spin-off Threads is working on a feature that lets you control your feed by tagging its algorithm.
The leaker shared an alleged screenshot of the unreleased feature that allows you to include @threads.algo in your post to see more or less of any topic. The Threads account accessible via this handle is followed by several Meta engineers, according to TechCrunch.
Instagram told the publication that said feature is currently an internal prototype and not being tested with users. However, it has been spotted just days after Elon Musk posted about a similar feature on X, suggesting that "you will be able to adjust your feed dynamically just by asking Grok."
The unreleased Threads feature shares a timeline with a similar feature that CEO Adam Mosseri recently announced for Instagram. It will start testing a feature called "Your Algorithm" that lets you tune your algorithm.
You will be able to choose the topics you want to see more and less of on the platform. These changes will first be reflected in the Reels tab, then eventually in your feed and the Explore tab.
Mosseri said the Instagram feature was "heavily inspired" by a meme called "Dear Algorithm," which was shared almost a year ago. There is a sense of satisfaction that the feature is similar to one of the things requested in our Instagram features wishlist last year.
Instagram recently surpassed the three billion monthly active users mark, and Reels, DMs, and recommendations have been the biggest crowd-pullers in the last few years. The platform will continue to grow around these features in the coming months.
"But in world where recommendations continue to grow, we know it’s important to give you more control over your experience," Mosseri said. "We’ll soon start testing a way for you to tune your algorithm by adding and removing topics based on your interests, starting with reels. We hope this will be a meaningful new way to shape what you see."
The upcoming feature builds on Instagram"s existing efforts to give users more control over their feed, which includes the ability to reset their algorithm preferences and start fresh. There is no word on when the feature will be rolled out to general users.