Enjoying a wide array of Instagram Reels is now more convenient than ever with the introduction of a new feature called Blend. This allows you to curate personalized Reels feeds specifically for yourself and anyone you invite into a private group chat.
Instagram, owned by Meta, announced this feature’s launch on a Thursday, taking inspiration from Spotify’s Blend playlists that merge your music preferences with those of a selected friend. With Blend on Instagram, you can set up a Reels feed either in a direct message conversation with one individual or within a group chat featuring friends or family.
To initiate a Blend, simply tap the Blend icon located next to the call icon in the upper right corner of your chat. From there, you can invite others from the same chat to join you. The Blend takes shape only after someone accepts the invitation. Additionally, you can join an existing Blend if invited from another chat. This setup enables you to explore Reels shared by others, offering a refreshing selection of content that differs from the suggestions you typically see in your main feed, with new updates arriving daily.
This release follows Instagram’s previous introduction of a dedicated Reels tab earlier this year, which allows users to view Reels that their friends and followers have engaged with. However, while that feature is more public in nature, Blend offers a more private setting for sharing the Reels your friends and family enjoy. Both features aim to enhance the discovery of unique content and creators you might not encounter in your typical feed, suggesting that if your friends appreciate a particular Reel, you likely will too.
As of now, Instagram Blend may not be accessible to all users yet. Updating your Instagram app via the App Store or Google Play should reveal the Blend icon in your chats, though it may still remain inactive for some users.
