Instagram is testing Picks, a new feature that connects users based on their shared preferences for games, TV series, movies, music, and books.
- Instagram is testing Picks, a new feature that connects users based on their shared preferences for games, TV series, movies,...
- Picks, announced internally on Wednesday, let consumers choose their favourites and link them with friends who liked them.
- Instagram then compares them to the choices made by friends to display any overlaps.
- “To help people connect with friends over the things they discover on Instagram, we’re going to double down on messaging,...
Keep reading for the full breakdown on Instagram Picks — everything you need to know is covered below.
Picks, announced internally on Wednesday, let consumers choose their favourites and link them with friends who liked them.
This concept promises to spark richer conversations beyond simple likes and emojis by highlighting common ground.
How picks work: Matching favourites with friends
Users can select their favourite cultural and entertainment options with Picks. Instagram then compares them to the choices made by friends to display any overlaps.
An example is discovering that a friend shares your passion for a sci-fi series or indie band. This bond may encourage friends to have deeper conversations about shared interests.
Alessandro Paluzzi, an app researcher well-known for discovering unpublished Instagram functions, was the first to disclose the feature.
According to head Adam Mosseri, Instagram aims to increase creativity and connection throughout 2025.
“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,” Mosseri shared earlier this year.
Where picks fits in Instagram’s growing toolbox
While Picks adds a fresh way to discover shared likes, it arrives amid growing concerns from users about feature overload.
The recently launched Instagram Map faced backlash; many felt it was unnecessary. Yet Instagram is pushing forward with new ideas like Picks and the Friends tab in Reels, which shows content friends have interacted with or recommended. Both aim to deepen interaction on the platform.
Today, Picks remains in the early prototype phase within Instagram and is not publicly available or being externally tested. Meta has not announced when or if the feature will be fully launched.
Nevertheless, Picks could change how friends connect, moving beyond surface-level engagement to honest conversations rooted in shared passions.
Picks may turn your Instagram account into a meeting place for friends and your favourite films, books, and songs. Follow Instagram as it tests a potential technique for finding mutual interests and bonds.