Threads has unveiled an AI-driven tool that enables users to customize their feed, as announced this Wednesday. The new "Dear Algo" function allows individuals to temporarily specify what content they wish to see more or less of. To activate it, users simply post a public message starting with "Dear Algo," followed by their preference—for instance, "Dear algo, show me more posts about podcasts." Once submitted, the feed adjusts accordingly for a three-day period.

It is important to note that since Dear Algo operates through public posts, requests are visible to others and can even be reposted to apply to someone else's feed. This public nature might deter some users who prefer privacy. However, the platform views this as an opportunity to foster community discovery, transforming personalization into a shared experience.

By giving users temporary control over their feeds, Threads distinguishes itself from competitors with a unique offering. "Threads is where you go to keep up with what’s happening right now," the company stated in a blog post. "But sometimes, what matters to you changes in an instant, and you want your Threads feed to reflect that - whether it’s seeing more posts during a live NBA game or less about a TV show you haven’t caught up on yet."

While Threads, along with rivals like X and Bluesky, already provides basic preference settings such as a 'Not Interested' button, Dear Algo advances personalization further. This feature could also enhance Threads' real-time feel, an area where X has traditionally excelled. Dear Algo is currently available in the U.S., New Zealand, Australia, and the U.K., with plans to expand to more countries soon.

This launch follows a recent report indicating that Threads now exceeds X in daily mobile usage. Although X maintains a lead in web traffic, the Threads mobile app for iOS and Android has seen steady growth in daily active users over recent months. As of January 7, 2026, Threads reported 141.5 million daily active users on mobile, compared to X's 125 million.