Instagram Blend: A Guide to Customize Your Reels Feed

More than 50% of people on Instagram use the Explore tab to find something new – creators, music, reels, random obsessions they didn’t know they needed. That’s why Meta recently launched the Instagram Blend feature, a smart new update that syncs your reels feed with someone else’s to deliver personalized, shared recommendations.

Whether you and your best friend share identical brainwaves or just vibe over the same memes, this lets you blend both worlds onto one screen.

In this guide, we’re breaking down how the feature works, how to use it, and how it can make this Meta platform feel more personal, more creative, and a lot more fun.

What is Blend on Instagram?

The Instagram Blend feature is a personalized discovery tool available only in chats. It lets two users merge their reels feeds to create a shared, customized content experience.

How Does Instagram Blend Work?

The Instagram Blend feature works by merging the reels preferences of two users into one shared, personalised feed. Once you create a Blend through chat, Instagram analyzes the type of content both of you engage with — from the Reels you watch to the creators you follow — and curates recommendations that reflect both your interests.

So if one of you loves recipes and the other’s into travel, you might both see gorgeous videos of food tours abroad, or recipes from international cuisine. The reels feed continuously updates as your activity changes, making it a dynamic space that evolves with what you and your friend enjoy most on the app.

How to Start a Blend on Instagram: A Step-by-Step Guide

Ready to test how compatible your reels’ feeds really are? Here’s how to set up a Blend on Instagram in under a minute.

And if you already send Reels to each other daily, you’re basically halfway there:

Step 1: First, open your Instagram app and head to your DMs – just like you’re about to share another Reel.

Step 2: Open a chat with someone you regularly send things to – Instagram needs to know you’re compatible.

Step 3: Look for the new “Create Blend” icon (if you don’t see it yet, try again later; it’s still rolling out).

Step 4: Then wait for your friend to tap “Join Blend” on their end.

Once that invite’s accepted, you’re good to go. You’ve now officially made a blend, and your joint reels feed will kick into action with stuff picked just for the two of you.

5 Tips to Make the Most of Instagram Blend

The Instagram Blend feature is packed with potential, but like most tools, it hits different when you know how to use it right.

Here are five simple tips to make every scroll smarter (and more fun):

1. Choose a friend with similar interests

Instagram algorithm needs shared signals to work well, so pick someone you naturally trade Reels with on the regular. The closer your likes, hobbies, and follows, the more satisfying (and accurate) your combined feed will be. Choosing someone too random just leaves the system confused.

2. Use Blend often to improve suggestions

The more you scroll through your Blend feed, the better the algorithm gets at figuring you out as a duo. Skip it for days and you miss out on that refinement. Keep showing up (even just to swipe) and watch the results improve quickly.

3. Save and like posts to teach the algorithm

Double-taps and saved posts send loud signals to Instagram about what you’re into. Not just for yourself, but for your shared feed too. Engage more actively, and you’ll notice smarter, more relevant content start bubbling up pretty quickly.

4. Start conversations around shared Reels

The magic isn’t just in the reels feed – it’s in how you react to it. When you share or DM something from your Blend, it kicks off engagement loops, builds that bond with your friend, and trains the system to show you both more conversation-worthy finds.

5. Try different friends to explore other interests

Think of each Blend as a custom playlist – you and someone else picking the tracks without realising it. Try new combinations to tap into unexplored content zones. You’ll see fresh themes, communities, and inspiration just by mixing things up now and then.

Final Thoughts: Why You Should Embrace the Blend

Whether you’re scrolling for kicks, ideas, or future collab inspiration, Instagram Blend brings something genuinely solid (and fun) to the table.

For casual users, it’s a fun way to connect. For creators or businesses, it’s an insight into audience overlap and shared interests. In both cases, it’s personal, powerful, and built for real engagement – not just endless doom-scrolling.

Most importantly, it’s basically impossible not to get something useful (or hilarious) out of it. So dive in, set yours up, and see for yourself – you’ll be glad you did.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why Can’t I Create a Blend?

You might not see the feature yet because it’s still rolling out gradually. Make sure your Instagram app is updated, and you’re frequently sharing Reels with someone – you’ll only see the option if there’s regular activity with that contact.