Instagram’s new Blend feature creates a custom reels feed for you and your friends

Tech Crunch - Apr 17th, 2025

Instagram has introduced a new feature called Blend, allowing users to create a personalized reels feed with selected friends. This feature, which is invite-only, enables users to explore and share content with either a single friend or a group chat. Each Blend feed is refreshed daily with new content, and users are notified when someone in the group reacts to a reel, fostering ongoing communication in direct messages. This development is part of Instagram's strategy to enhance social connections and content discovery on its platform, moving away from its current focus on influencers and advertisements. Blend offers a unique experience not available on TikTok, one of its main competitors, potentially increasing engagement and view time on Instagram by encouraging collaborative content consumption.

Blend represents Instagram's effort to reconnect with its original social-sharing ethos by promoting shared experiences among friends. This move could redefine user interaction with the app, as it emphasizes community and personal connection over passive content consumption. The feature draws inspiration from Spotify's Blend, which also combines users' preferences into a shared, dynamically updated experience. By integrating this novel functionality, Instagram aims to strengthen its competitive edge, particularly against TikTok, by offering a distinct feature that highlights personalized and communal content viewing.

Social Media Tik Tok Instagram Tech Crunch Blend Feature Reels Personalized Content

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

7.8

Fair Story

Consider it well-founded

The article provides a clear and timely overview of Instagram's new Blend feature, accurately reporting the platform's announcement and its potential impact on user engagement. It benefits from credible sources and a neutral tone, making it accessible to a general audience. However, the article could improve by incorporating diverse perspectives, such as user reactions or expert analysis, to provide a more balanced view of the feature's implications. Additionally, exploring broader societal impacts, such as privacy concerns or social media's influence on user behavior, could enhance the story's depth and public interest. Overall, the article effectively informs readers about a relevant tech development while leaving room for further exploration and discussion.

Accuracy

The story accurately reports Instagram's announcement of the Blend feature, including its functionality, user interaction, and potential impact on user engagement. It aligns well with the official announcements and media coverage, such as TechCrunch's report. Specific claims, like the invite-only nature of Blends and their daily refresh, are supported by Instagram's statements. The story correctly highlights the feature's uniqueness compared to TikTok, a claim that is factual based on the current availability of similar features on competing platforms. However, the story mentions the feature's similarity to Spotify's Blend, which is a subjective comparison rather than a factual claim.

Balance

The article primarily presents Instagram's perspective on the new Blend feature, emphasizing its benefits and potential to enhance user engagement. It lacks diverse viewpoints, such as user opinions or expert analysis on the feature's impact on social media dynamics. The focus is on Instagram's intent to reconnect with its social roots, but it doesn't address potential drawbacks, such as privacy concerns or user saturation with new features. While it provides a positive view of Instagram's strategy, it could benefit from a broader range of perspectives.

Clarity

The article is well-structured and uses clear, concise language to convey information about Instagram's Blend feature. The logical flow of information, from the feature's introduction to its potential impact, aids comprehension. The tone is neutral, focusing on factual reporting rather than opinion. However, some technical aspects, like the process of creating a Blend, could be explained more thoroughly to ensure all readers understand the feature's functionality.

Source quality

The article relies on credible sources, including Instagram's official announcements and reports from reputable tech news outlets like TechCrunch. These sources are authoritative in the tech industry and provide reliable information about Instagram's developments. However, the article could enhance its credibility by incorporating additional sources, such as expert opinions or user testimonials, to provide a more comprehensive view of the feature's reception and potential impact.

Transparency

The article clearly outlines the basis for its claims, referencing Instagram's official announcements and previous reports by TechCrunch. However, it lacks transparency regarding the methodology behind Instagram's decision to introduce the Blend feature. The article could improve by explaining the context of Instagram's strategic decisions, such as market trends or user feedback that influenced the feature's development. Additionally, disclosing any potential conflicts of interest, such as partnerships or advertising relationships, would enhance transparency.