Instagram draws inspiration from Spotify to introduce Blend for Reels.

      Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

      Viewing a variety of Instagram Reels is now simpler than ever with a dedicated group chat with friends. Instagram has introduced Blend, a new feature that allows you to generate personalized Reels feeds for yourself and anyone you invite into a direct message group.

      Meta, the platform's parent company, announced the launch of Instagram Blend on Thursday (according to TechCrunch). It draws inspiration from a Spotify playlist of the same name, Spotify Blend, which combines your musical preferences with those of a person you invite to the playlist (provided they have Spotify), refreshing daily. With Instagram Blend, you can set up a Reels feed in a one-on-one DM with another user or within a group chat comprising friends or family.

      To create a Blend, simply tap the Blend icon situated next to the call button in the top right corner of the chat and select Invite to bring others from the same chat into it. The Blend can only be created once one person accepts the invitation. You can also join a Blend if someone from a different chat extends an invitation. Either way, you'll be able to browse through Reels shared by others, which are not included in your main feed's suggestions, with content being updated daily.

      Instagram

      The introduction of Instagram Blend comes three months after the company revealed a dedicated Reels tab that enables users to view Reels their friends and followers have liked or commented on. This feature is more public compared to Blend, which provides a private setting for discovering Reels liked or commented on by your friends and family. The common goal of both Reels-focused features is to enhance the discovery of content and creators that typically do not appear in your standard feed, and if your friends enjoy a particular Reel, there's a good chance you will too.

      Instagram Blend is not yet available for all chat feeds. Updating the Instagram app from the App Store or Google Play will display the Blend icon in the chats, although it may remain inactive for some users.

      Cristina Alexander is a gaming and mobile writer at Digital Trends, providing balanced coverage of topics within the gaming industry.

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