Instagram just dropped a new feature called Blend, and it’s about to change the way you discover and enjoy Reels with your friends. If you’ve ever found yourself swapping funny videos in the DMs or tagging your bestie on every relatable post — Blend takes that experience to the next level. Think of it as a curated mix of Reels based on your and your friend’s viewing habits. In this blog, we’ll break down exactly what Instagram Blend is, how to use it, and why it’s the coolest way to connect with your close circle in 2025.
1. What is Instagram Blend?
Instagram Blend is a brand-new feature that lets two friends combine their Reels viewing habits to create a shared, personalized feed. Instead of scrolling through Reels alone, Blend lets you experience a custom-curated mix of videos based on what both of you enjoy. It’s Instagram’s way of making content discovery more social and fun.
Imagine your favorite memes meeting your best friend’s cooking reels — that’s the magic of Blend. Once you accept a Blend invite from someone, Instagram starts showing you a dynamic stream of Reels that reflects your shared tastes. It’s private, constantly updated, and built for bonding over binge-worthy content.
How is Instagram Blend Different from Reels or the Explore Feed?
While Reels and the Explore feed show content based on your individual activity, Instagram Blend curates content based on a shared algorithm between you and a friend.
Here’s how they compare:
Feature | Regular Reels Feed | Explore Feed | Instagram Blend |
---|---|---|---|
Based On | Your personal likes, shares, and watch time | Popular and trending posts + your interests | Combined activity of you and one friend |
Personalized? | Yes, but only for you | Semi-personalized | Yes, but for both users in the Blend |
Content Type | Reels (videos only) | Reels, posts, stories, etc. | Reels only |
Social Layer | None | None | Yes — shared with a friend |
Visibility | Publicly discoverable content | Mix of public content | Private feed between two users |
How Does Instagram Blend Work?
Instagram Blend uses a shared algorithm to create a personalized Reels feed for you and one friend. The feature analyzes your individual viewing habits — what you like, share, rewatch, or skip — and does the same for your friend. Then it blends these preferences to serve you a curated stream of Reels that both of you are likely to enjoy.
How Instagram Uses Algorithmic Data
Instagram’s AI looks at:
- Reels you’ve liked or commented on
- Accounts you follow and engage with
- Time spent watching certain types of content (e.g., comedy, cooking, pets)
- Your friend’s similar activity
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It identifies overlapping interests (e.g., both of you love funny dog videos or fashion tips) and combines them into a mutual taste profile.
What Kind of Content Gets Shown
The Blend feed features:
- A mix of trending and niche Reels that align with both users’ tastes
- New creators or themes that neither of you have discovered yet — but the algorithm predicts you’ll enjoy
- Occasionally, Reels one of you has seen but the other hasn’t, encouraging shared reactions
It’s like getting a Reels playlist made just for your friendship.
Frequency & Update Mechanism
- The Blend feed updates daily based on your most recent activity.
- It’s dynamic — meaning, the more you and your friend engage with Reels, the smarter and more relevant the feed gets.
- You don’t have to refresh manually; Blend content keeps evolving as your preferences change.
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How to Create an Instagram Blend
Creating an Instagram Blend is super simple — all you need is one friend who’s as Reel-obsessed as you are. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown to get started:
Step-by-Step Guide to Create a Blend:
- Open Instagram and head to the Reels tab.
- Tap on the Blend icon (two smiley faces or hearts intertwined) at the top right. (If you don’t see it yet, your app may need an update.)
- Tap on “Create Blend”.
- Select a friend you want to invite. You can only create a Blend with one person at a time.
- Tap “Send Invite.”
- Once your friend accepts the invite, your shared Blend feed will be created automatically.
How to Invite a Friend to Blend:
- From the Blend menu, Instagram shows you a list of people you interact with often.
- You can search for any username too.
- Only one active Blend is allowed at a time. So if you want to blend with someone else, you’ll need to remove the current one.
How to View the Blend Feed:
- Once your Blend is live, tap the Blend icon in the Reels tab anytime.
- You’ll see a scrollable feed titled something like: “Reels You & [Friend’s Name] Might Like”.
- All content here is curated based on your mutual tastes.
How to Remove or Change a Blend Partner:
- Go to the Blend section in the Reels tab.
- Tap the three-dot menu on the top-right of the Blend feed.
- Select “End Blend” to stop sharing your preferences.
- To start fresh with another friend, repeat the creation steps above.
What If You Want to Opt Out of Blend?
If you’re no longer vibing with your shared Reel feed or just want some solo scrolling time, opting out of Blend is easy and instant. Here’s how:
Steps to Opt Out of Blend:
- Go to the Blend feed from the Reels tab.
- Tap the three-dot menu at the top-right corner.
- Select “End Blend” or “Leave Blend”.
- Confirm your choice.
Once you leave, the shared feed will disappear for both you and your Blend partner. Your personal Reels feed goes back to being tailored just for you — no hard feelings from the algorithm!
Tips to Make the Most of Instagram Blend
Instagram Blend is more than just a shared feed — it’s a chance to turn content discovery into a bonding experience. Here’s how to make it work for you:
1. Choose the Right Friend
Not every friend is a good Blend partner. Choose someone whose Reels taste complements yours — whether that’s:
- The meme-sharing bestie
- Your foodie partner-in-crime
- A fashion-forward friend
- Or even your sibling with weirdly great Reels taste
The more overlap in your interests, the more entertaining the Blend will be.
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2. Engage With Content Together
Blend isn’t just for passive scrolling. Make it interactive:
- React to Reels via DMs to start a convo
- Send voice notes about your reactions
- Share your favorites directly from the Blend feed
- Try recreating or duetting viral Reels together
This makes the feature feel more like a virtual hangout than just another tab on Instagram.
3. Use Blend to Discover Trends Faster
Because the Blend feed pulls from two data sets:
- You’ll often get exposed to new creators and niches faster
- You’ll discover Reels that are trending in your friend’s world before they hit your radar
- It’s like having a second pair of eyes on what’s hot
If you’re a creator or just love being early to trends — Blend can give you a content edge.
Common Questions About Instagram Blend (FAQs)
Q1: Can I blend with more than one person?
No, currently you can only have one active Blend at a time. If you want to Blend with someone else, you’ll need to end the existing Blend first.
Q2: Will the other person know what I watch?
Nope. Blend is private, but it doesn’t reveal your individual viewing history. The feed is generated based on mutual interests, not a detailed log of what each person watches.
Q3: Can I disable Blend?
Yes. You can opt out anytime by tapping the three-dot menu in the Blend feed and selecting “End Blend”. Once ended, the shared feed disappears for both users.
9. Conclusion
Instagram Blend is the app’s latest step in making content discovery more social and personalized. Whether you’re sharing laughs over memes, vibing to the same dance Reels, or discovering trends ahead of the curve — Blend offers a fresh way to connect digitally with people who matter.
It’s simple to set up, fun to use, and adds a layer of friendship to your scroll. If you haven’t tried it yet, now’s the perfect time to hit that Blend icon and double the fun