• Source:JND
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Instagram is experimenting with a new feature designed to make conversations on the platform more personal and relevant. The upcoming tool, called “Picks”, will allow users to list their favourite books, films, music, TV shows, games, and other interests, and then match those preferences with friends who share them.

The feature was first uncovered by reverse engineer Alessandro Paluzzi, who posted screenshots on X (formerly Twitter). These images suggest that Picks will live inside Instagram’s inbox, specifically in the Notes section, and can be accessed via a new icon at the top of the screen. Once a user adds their chosen interests, the platform will highlight friends who have similar tastes, potentially sparking conversations or shared recommendations.

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Meta confirmed to TechCrunch that Picks is currently only an “internal prototype”, meaning it is still in development and has not been released publicly. However, it aligns with Instagram’s broader strategy to encourage more direct, personal interactions among users.

Instagram head Adam Mosseri had hinted at such plans earlier this year, saying, “To help people connect with friends over the things they discover on Instagram, we’re going to double down on messaging, make consuming content more interactive and social, and explore new ways to connect with friends.”

Picks joins a growing list of features aimed at boosting engagement. Instagram Map now allows users to share their location with friends — similar to Snapchat’s Snap Map — while the Friends tab in Reels showcases videos your friends have recently interacted with. The Blends feature further personalises recommendations by curating content based on shared viewing habits.

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If launched widely, Picks could become a subtle yet effective way to connect users over common passions, making it easier to turn digital follows into meaningful online friendships.