Threads will let users speak to the algorithm

Threads is testing a new way for users to manipulate their own recommendation algorithm.

The feature, aptly called “Dear algo,” allows users to post a message to the algorithm with the note “dear algo” asking to see more or less of a certain thing. For instance, you might post “Dear algo, show me more book recommendations” or “Dear algo, stop showing me basketball updates my team is bad and it makes me sad.”

Conor Hayes, the head of Threads, said in a post on the site on Dec. 3 that the platform is “testing a new AI feature to help you personalize your feed.”

“When people add ‘Dear Algo’ to a post, it will tell your feed what you want to see more or less of for up to three days. If your profile is public, people can see your request, connect with you about it, or repost it,” Hayes wrote. “This is just a test, so not everyone will have access now, but we’re working on rolling it out more broadly soon.”

Then, the feed responds by showing you what you asked for for the next three days. This won’t change your feed entirely (or forever) but the temporary change will allow you to engage with content you like and that engagement will help refine your algorithm in the long term.

It’s important to note that these posts are public — so it also informs all your friends and followers what you want to see more or less of.

Mark Zuckerberg, the head of Meta, wrote that the new feature was “inspired” by people on the app “who started ‘dear threads algo’ requests.”