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A New Way to Find Shared Interests
Instagram fans, get ready. Something pretty intriguing is brewing in Meta’s world, and frankly, I’m both excited and cautiously curious. News dropped this week that Instagram is working on a new feature called “Picks” that helps users find shared interests with their friends. Think of it like Tinder’s interests function, but inside your favorite photo‑sharing app and hopefully with less pressure to be witty in a DM.
How “Picks” Works
So, what is Picks? According to leaks and Instagram’s own cautious confirmation, users will be able to list their favorite movies, music, shows, books, and games. Instagram will then compare your selections against your friends’ and highlight overlaps right in your inbox. You could finally find out if your best friend secretly loves 90s rom coms or whether you have more in common with that quiet colleague than you realised.
Personally, I can see myself using this for music. Discovering that a friend listens to the same indie playlist would be an instant conversation starter.
Still in Prototype Stage
Now, a little reality check. Instagram has said that “Picks” is still a prototype. It is not being tested publicly yet, so there is no confirmation on if, or when, it will reach everyone’s phones. The feature was first spotted in‑app by well‑known tech leaker Alessandro Paluzzi, whose screenshots quickly got people talking online.
Fits Instagram’s 2025 Strategy
Adam Mosseri, Instagram’s boss, has been clear that 2025 is focused on creativity and connection. Here is what he said earlier this year:
“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 certainly match that vision. It is about social interaction around real interests instead of endless scrolling and fire emojis.
But Will It Add or Overload?
Here is my hesitation. Instagram has been adding a lot lately. We have seen Reposts, Friend Maps, Blend feeds, and multiple tweaks to Notes and DMs, all in just a few months. Some users already complain about feature bloat.
Will Picks be the glue that strengthens our social connections? Or will it end up as another unused tab collecting dust? Meta seems determined to compete with community‑focused platforms like Discord and to borrow ideas from dating apps that encourage more personal connections.
My Take
From my perspective, this is a smart move. Social media has shifted, and people now crave smaller circles and more genuine bonds. If Picks means discovering that your college roommate is obsessed with the same sci-fi saga, I am all for it.
Just, please, Instagram—keep it simple enough so we do not end up needing a “Picks for Dummies” guide.
What’s Next?
Instagram has not shared a public launch date. For now, keep your app updated and your personal list of favourites ready. If and when Picks arrives, you might discover you are not so alone in your quirkiest obsessions after all.