David Bridges
At a glance
- Algorithm Control: The algorithm significantly influences what users see on social media feeds.
- User Engagement: Many Threads users are writing posts addressed to the algorithm, requesting specific content adjustments.
- New Feature: A new AI-powered feature on Threads will allow users to express their content preferences directly.
- Rapid Growth: Since its launch in 2023, Threads has gained substantial user engagement, reaching 150 million daily active users in October.
In a lot of social media use, the algorithm is an intangible entity, silent and all-powerful in controlling what we see in our feeds. And like supplicants to a deity, sometimes we may find ourselves calling into the void, hoping to receive aid from that mighty being. Seems that for Threads users, at least, those prayers have been heard.
Many people on the Threads platform have taken to writing posts with the phrase “dear algo,” politely asking the network algorithm to show them more of what they want or less of what they don’t. According to a post today from Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Threads will try out a feature where that’s exactly what happens. Connor Hayes, head of Threads, also posted about this limited test, adding that it will be an AI-powered feature. “When people add “Dear Algo” to a post, it will tell your feed what you want to see more or less of for up to three days,” he wrote. “If your profile is public, people can see your request, connect with you about it, or repost it.”
There is something satisfying about having users’ feedback taken seriously, even if it started as a bit of a joke. Threads has seen rapid growth since its debut in 2023. It had 400 million monthly active users as of August 2025 and in October it reached 150 million daily active users.
Update, December 3, 2025, 5:15PM ET: Added more detail from Connor Hayes about the tests.
Daniel Mercer
