Instagram is developing a new feature called “Picks,” designed to help users discover shared interests with friends. Confirmed by the company as an internal prototype, Picks is not yet being tested publicly.
The feature was first uncovered by reverse engineer Alessandro Paluzzi, who shared screenshots suggesting that users would be able to select favorite movies, TV shows, books, games, and music. Instagram would then identify overlaps with friends who made similar selections, potentially encouraging more personal interactions.
While Instagram has not provided detailed information about the tool, its purpose appears aligned with the platform’s recent emphasis on fostering closer connections. Earlier this year, Instagram head Adam Mosseri outlined a 2025 focus on “creativity and connection”, noting plans to “double down on messaging, make consuming content more interactive and social, and explore new ways to connect with friends”.
If implemented, Picks could serve as a conversation starter and a way to deepen user engagement through interest-based discovery. However, it may also add to concerns about feature overload. Instagram has faced criticism for introducing multiple new functions in recent years, with some users expressing frustration over additions like Instagram Map.
As with many in-development tools, there is no guarantee Picks will launch, and Instagram has not shared a release timeline. For now, the feature remains part of the company’s internal experiments as it explores new ways to blend social discovery with its existing content and messaging experience.
