Instagram has rolled out a fresh feature called Blend, aimed at enhancing user engagement by curating a daily Reels feed exclusively shared between you and a friend or a group. The invite-only feature delivers a personalised stream of short videos based on the shared preferences of those in the chat, providing a new way to discover content together.

How Blend Works

To initiate a Blend, users need to open a private or group message, then tap the Blend icon at the top of the chat screen. After hitting "Invite," they can select friends from the conversation. Once at least one invite is accepted, the Blend is activated, and participants can access a custom feed of Reels tailored to everyone’s interests.

As users interact with content in the Blend—by liking or reacting to videos—notifications are sent to others in the group, prompting more conversations and engagement. Users can revisit the shared feed by opening the chat and tapping the Blend icon again.

Leaving a Blend

Users can opt out of a Blend at any time. To do this, open the Instagram app, tap the DM or messenger icon, select the chat containing the Blend, and hit the Blend icon. From the top-right menu, choose “Leave this Blend” to exit the shared feed.

This feature is part of Instagram's broader push to differentiate itself from TikTok while Meta, its parent company, faces increasing regulatory scrutiny over its dominance in social media. Interestingly, this update comes at a time when TikTok’s future in the U.S. remains uncertain due to pending legal and political decisions.

iPad App in Development

In another development, Instagram is reportedly working on a dedicated app for iPads. While users have been running the iPhone version on tablets for years, the experience is subpar due to lack of optimisation for larger screens. A source within Instagram confirmed that a native iPad version is in the works, although an official release date has yet to be announced.