Prime Highlights
- Meta introduced “Dear Algo,” a new AI-powered feature on Threads that lets users personalize their content feed by directly prompting the platform’s algorithm.
- The launch reflects Meta’s broader strategy to deepen AI integration across its apps as it ramps up investments in artificial intelligence.
Key Facts
- The “Dear Algo” feature adjusts a user’s feed for three days after a public request and will initially be tested in the U.S., U.K., Australia, and New Zealand.
- Threads has reached 400 million monthly active users, and Meta expects to spend $115 billion to $135 billion this year on AI-related capital expenditures.
Background
Meta on Wednesday introduced a new artificial intelligence feature called “Dear Algo” that allows Threads users to personalize the content they see on the platform.
The tool enables users to guide their content recommendations by writing a public post that begins with the phrase “Dear Algo,” followed by a description of the type of posts they want to see more or less of. The feature works in a way similar to text prompts used with AI chatbots.
Meta said once a user shares a request, the platform adjusts the feed for three days to reflect those preferences. Users can also repost someone else’s “Dear Algo” request to apply similar content settings to their own feed.
The company said it drew inspiration from a growing trend of users publicly addressing the platform’s algorithm with similar phrases. Meta will begin testing the feature in the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand before expanding it to other regions.
The launch highlights Meta’s continued push to integrate AI across its apps. Earlier this week, the company introduced new AI tools for Facebook that allow users to animate profile photos and edit images using its Meta AI assistant.
Meta has significantly increased its AI investments. Last month, the company told investors it expects to spend between $115 billion and $135 billion this year on AI-related capital expenditures, nearly double last year’s spending.
Threads, launched in July 2023 to compete with X, recently reached 400 million monthly active users and has started rolling out advertising globally. Meta plans to test more AI-driven products in the coming year.