Threads is testing a simpler way for people to nudge their feed in a specific direction without digging through settings or retraining the algorithm long term.
The new feature, called Dear Algo, lets users tell Threads what they want to see more or less of for a short period of time. Instead of relying only on likes, follows, and past behavior, you can now directly ask the app to adjust what shows up in your feed.
It works by writing a public post that starts with “Dear Algo,” followed by your request. For instance, “Dear Algo, show me more posts about podcasts,” or “Dear Algo, show me fewer posts about spoilers for Heated Rivalry.” After you post it, Threads adjusts your feed for the next three days based on what you asked for.
The change is temporary on purpose. During a live NBA game, you might want your feed filled with reactions and commentary. A day later, you might want to move on to something else.
Dear Algo lets you make those shifts without permanently changing how the algorithm understands you.
A public request others can use
These requests are regular posts, not private settings. Other users can see them, interact with them, and repost them.
If you repost someone else’s Dear Algo request, Threads applies those same preferences to your feed for three days. This turns feed preferences into a kind of discovery tool. If someone you follow is deep into a niche conversation you have not seen yet, you can try their version of the feed for a few days.
A more direct way to guide the feed
Most social platforms offer some form of feed control, but it’s usually tucked into menus or tied to long term settings.
“Controlling your algorithm shouldn’t be complicated. It should feel like a normal part of using the app,” Connor Hayes, head of Threads at parent company Meta Platforms, tells Fast Company. “We saw our community experimenting with ‘Dear Algo’ posts to shape their feed, which inspired us to turn that behavior into an official feature that feels unique to Threads.”
He added, “When what you care about shifts—whether it’s a big game tonight or a TV premiere next week—you should be able to tell your feed to shift with you. This is about making Threads the most timely and essential place for what’s happening right now.”
Where it is available
Dear Algo is rolling out now in the United States, New Zealand, Australia, and the United Kingdom, with plans to expand to more countries.