Instagram Threads Introduces Custom Feeds Feature to Compete with Bluesky
As the rival social media platform Bluesky gains traction, reaching over 20 million users, Meta’s own Instagram Threads app is stepping up its game by rolling out a new feature called custom feeds to its global audience. This move aims to cater to user demand for more personalized content, allowing Threads users to create feeds based on specific topics or user profiles.
This new feature is set to rival Bluesky’s tools for personalization, which include the ability for users to customize their algorithms, feeds, and lists, as well as configure their moderation tools.
The launch of custom feeds on Threads globally comes shortly after Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced the feature’s testing phase, indicating a swift response to Bluesky’s recent surge in popularity. Following the U.S. elections, Bluesky has seen a significant increase in users seeking an alternative to X, owned by Elon Musk, due to changes in features and policies that have led to user dissatisfaction.
While Bluesky has seen rapid growth, surpassing 20 million users from just 7 million a few months ago, Threads remains a top competitor among X alternatives, boasting over 275 million monthly users. Threads’ success can be attributed to its integration with Instagram’s social graph and Meta’s other apps. However, some users have expressed disappointment with Threads’ decision to downplay political content and have requested more feed customization options beyond the default “For You” and “Following” feeds.
Enter custom feeds. This new feature allows users to search for topics, create feeds, and add specific user profiles to curate their content. Feeds can be pinned to the top of the Threads home screen for easy access in a columns-based view, similar to Tweetdeck or X Pro, making it convenient for users to stay connected to the conversations and communities that matter most to them.
