Threads Users Find Their Dear Algo Prayers Answered by Meta For social media users, the algorithm often feels like a distant and inscrutable power, silently dictating what fills our feeds. Many have resorted to half-joking pleas typed into the void, hoping the digital deity might listen. On Meta’s Threads platform, a common refrain has been to begin a post with Dear Algo. Now, in a move that blends user whimsy with product development, Meta is turning those pleas into a functional feature. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced the company is testing a new system where posts starting with Dear Algo will actively instruct the platform’s algorithm. According to Threads head Connor Hayes, this will be an AI-powered experiment. When a user includes Dear Algo in a post, it will directly signal their feed to show them more or less of certain content, with the effect lasting for up to three days. If a user’s profile is public, these Dear Algo requests will be visible to others, allowing people to connect over shared interests or repost the suggestions. This adds a social, collaborative layer to what is essentially direct feedback for the recommendation system. The initiative is a notable example of a platform formally adopting user behavior that began organically. What started as a humorous or futile gesture by the community is being integrated into the app’s functionality. It reflects a willingness by Threads to engage with its user base in a direct and somewhat playful manner. Threads has experienced significant growth since its launch, reaching 400 million monthly active users by August 2025 and climbing to 150 million daily active users by October of the same year. This new Dear Algo test represents another effort to refine the user experience and retain engagement on the fast-growing platform. The feature is currently in a limited test phase, so its broader rollout and long-term impact remain to be seen. However, it marks an interesting convergence of user expression and algorithmic control, giving people a more explicit, though temporary, voice in shaping their own digital environment.
