Threads’ ‘Dear Algo’ AI Customizes Your Feed
▼ Summary
– Threads has launched “Dear Algo,” an AI feature allowing users to temporarily personalize their feed by posting public requests for more or less of specific content.
– To use the feature, users post “Dear Algo” followed by their preference, which adjusts their feed for three days, but these requests are visible to others.
– Meta views the public nature of the feature as a way to foster community discovery, though it may deter users who prefer privacy.
– The feature gives Threads a competitive edge by offering more direct, real-time feed control compared to rivals like X and Bluesky.
– The launch follows a report indicating Threads now surpasses X in daily mobile active users, with 141.5 million compared to X’s 125 million as of early January 2026.
Threads, the social media platform from Meta, has rolled out a new artificial intelligence tool designed to give users direct control over their content feeds. This feature, called “Dear Algo,” allows individuals to temporarily adjust what they see by making a simple public post. By typing a request that begins with “Dear Algo,” you can ask the platform to show more or less of specific topics, with the changes affecting your feed for a period of three days. This move provides a novel layer of customization that isn’t currently available on competing networks like X or Bluesky.
To use the tool, you simply compose a public Threads post. For instance, if you’re keen to follow a breaking news story or a live sports event, you could write, “Dear Algo, show me more posts about the NBA finals.” Conversely, to avoid spoilers for a show you haven’t watched, you might post, “Dear Algo, show me less about the latest season of Stranger Things.” The system then tailors your following feed based on this direct input, offering a more responsive and user-directed experience.
A notable aspect of “Dear Algo” is its public nature. Because requests are made in open posts, other users can see them and even choose to repost a request to apply the same filter to their own feeds. While some may find this lack of privacy a drawback, Meta frames it as a benefit, suggesting it helps spark community discovery of new topics and turns personal feed management into a shared activity.
The introduction of this feature is strategically significant. It not only differentiates Threads from its rivals but also enhances the platform’s real-time feel, a characteristic historically associated with X. Company statements emphasize that Threads aims to be the place for current conversations, and “Dear Algo” lets feeds instantly reflect a user’s shifting interests, whether for a few hours during a major event or to avoid topics for a short while.
Currently, “Dear Algo” is accessible to users in the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand, with plans for a broader international rollout in the coming months. This launch follows recent market data indicating Threads is gaining substantial traction. A report noted that Threads has begun to outpace X in daily active users on mobile applications, marking a shift in the social media landscape. The feature represents a clear investment in user-centric innovation as platforms compete for engagement in a crowded market.
(Source: TechCrunch)
