Social media platform Threads is introducing a new feature that enables users to influence their personalized feed. The feature, called “Dear Algo,” allows users to post messages to the algorithm, specifying what they want to see more or less of. For instance, a user can post “Dear Algo, show me more book recommendations” or “Dear Algo, stop showing me basketball updates.” This feature is currently being tested, with the goal of rolling it out more broadly in the near future.

According to Conor Hayes, the head of Threads, the platform is testing a new AI feature to help users personalize their feed. When a user adds “Dear Algo” to a post, it informs their feed of their preferences for up to three days. If the user’s profile is public, their request will be visible to others, who can then connect with them about it or repost it. The feed will respond by showing the user the content they requested for the specified period.

This temporary change will allow users to engage with content they like, which will in turn help refine their algorithm in the long term. It is essential to note that these posts are public, informing all friends and followers of the user’s preferences. Mark Zuckerberg, the head of Meta, stated that the new feature was inspired by users on the app who started making “dear threads algo” requests.

The introduction of “Dear Algo” reflects the platform’s efforts to provide users with more control over their online experience. By allowing users to specify their preferences, Threads aims to create a more personalized and engaging environment. As the feature is still in the testing phase, it is not yet available to all users. However, the platform plans to roll it out more broadly soon, giving users more autonomy over their feed and enabling them to discover content that is relevant to their interests.

The development of “Dear Algo” is a significant step towards enhancing user experience on social media platforms. By providing users with more control over their feed, Threads is setting a precedent for other platforms to follow. As the feature becomes more widely available, it will be interesting to see how users respond and how it impacts the overall user experience on the platform. With its focus on personalization and user autonomy, “Dear Algo” has the potential to revolutionize the way users interact with social media.