Threads Launches Dear Algo: Temporary Feed Control Becomes a Creator Lever
Meta's new Dear Algo feature gives users short-term feed control on Threads. For creators, that means topic timing and clarity can matter even more than posting volume.
On February 11, 2026, Meta launched Dear Algo on Threads, an AI-powered control that lets users request more or less of specific topics in-feed for three days. The official product note is here: Control Your Threads Feed With New Dear Algo Feature.
Users can post a public "Dear Algo" instruction and apply similar requests from other accounts by reposting. Meta positioned this as a way to tune feed relevance around live interests, events, and temporary attention windows.
For creators, the key shift is tactical discoverability. If users can tune into specific topics rapidly, content that is clearly categorized and time-relevant may see better short-cycle distribution, while vague posts may lose momentum faster.
This analysis explains how to adapt topic packaging, posting cadence, and experiment design in a feed that now supports temporary preference control.
💡 Did You Know?
- 1Meta said Dear Algo is initially available in the US, UK, Australia, and New Zealand.
- 2Preference effects are temporary, designed around a three-day window.
- 3Users can reuse other people's request patterns by reposting them.
- 4Temporary feed controls tend to reward precise topic language over broad category labels.
How Dear Algo Works in Practice
Meta's implementation is intentionally simple: users post a "Dear Algo" instruction describing what they want to see more or less of, and Threads adapts feed weighting for a limited period. The product launch details are explicit in Meta's newsroom post: Dear Algo launch documentation.
For creators, this means feed relevance can become more event-driven. If a topic spikes and users actively tune toward it, distribution opportunity compresses into shorter windows. Teams that publish quickly with clear topical framing can benefit.
The downside is also clear: ambiguous posts that rely on generic wording may underperform when audience intent is being actively tuned.
Discovery Implications for Creators and Brands
Temporary preference tuning changes how teams should think about cadence. Instead of one-size-fits-all editorial calendars, creators may need smaller, faster publishing blocks tied to live conversations.
For brands, the opportunity is sharper thematic alignment. Campaign posts that match active preference windows can produce more efficient reach than broad evergreen messaging.
To plan these short windows, use How to Create a Content Calendar and benchmark performance with the Engagement Rate Calculator.
Execution Model: Topic Clarity Beats Volume
In a Dear Algo environment, topic precision is a competitive edge. Posts should signal intent quickly in the first line and visual frame, especially around fast-moving events.
A practical model is to publish in three layers: rapid context post, value add post, and recap post. This keeps content aligned with short relevance windows without looking repetitive.
Creators building long-term trust should avoid bait-style phrasing and keep value density high. If you need baseline process support, revisit How to Grow on TikTok, which includes transferable short-form packaging principles.
Community Reaction and Next Experiment
Early community reaction to feed control tools is usually mixed: power users welcome customization, while others worry about extra complexity. For creators, the right response is experimentation with clean measurement, not assumptions.
Run two-week tests that compare topic-specific posts against broad posts during similar time slots. If topical precision lifts saves, replies, and click-through behavior, scale that format.
For additional Meta platform context, track related newsroom updates such as Facebook's Meta AI profile and post animation rollout.
What to Watch Next
- 1How quickly creators standardize topic tags and framing for Dear Algo windows.
- 2Whether temporary preference controls reduce feed volatility for niche creators.
- 3If Threads expands access beyond current launch markets.
- 4How campaign teams incorporate Dear Algo moments into brand flighting calendars.
What this article helps you do
Understand what Dear Algo changes in feed behavior.
Adapt creator publishing strategy to temporary preference windows.
Avoid common packaging mistakes that reduce discoverability.