Sending Reels to friends one by one is fine… until it’s not. If you’ve ever wished Instagram could just magically show you and your friend the same Reels without all the back-and-forth — good news, it kinda can. That’s where Instagram’s new feature, Blend, comes in. So, what is Blend on Instagram? It’s a shared Reels feed built just for you and one other person, powered by both of your interests. No more guessing what they’ll like — Instagram does the matchmaking for your scrolls.
Ahead, we’ll walk you through how Blend works and how to start one. Oh — and yes, we’ll also cover how to save those golden Reels even if Instagram doesn’t make it super easy.
What Is Blend on Instagram?
Instagram’s Blend feature is like your For You page — but built for two (or a few). Nestled right inside your DMs, Blend creates a shared Reels feed that’s personalized based on the viewing habits, likes, and interactions of everyone in the chat. Whether it’s just you and a friend or a small group, Instagram takes each person’s algorithm and mashes them together to serve a curated stream of Reels that everyone might enjoy.
Once you start a Blend in a DM, Instagram’s algorithm goes to work. It pulls from what each participant watches, likes, shares, and engages with, then crafts a joint feed that updates daily. So there’s always something new to scroll through together — no need to keep sending Reels one by one.
You could think of it like Spotify’s Blend playlists, but for short videos. It’s a little bit chaotic, a little bit fun, and very revealing (get ready to discover just how deep your friend’s dog-video obsession runs). It also makes Reels scrolling feel less like a solo doomscroll and more like a shared experience — whether you’re side-by-side or miles apart.
Bonus: you can react and comment on Reels directly inside the chat, making it feel more like a live group watch party than just another passive content feed. Whether you’re bonding with a bestie, low-key flirting with a crush, or simply curious about what TikTok-adjacent chaos your friends are into — Blend adds a fresh social layer to your scroll.
How to Create Blend on Instagram?
Ready to turn your Reels scroll into a shared adventure? Here’s how to create a Blend on Instagram — and yes, it’s as easy as sending a DM (because it literally happens inside your DMs).
Step 1: Open a Chat
Head to your Instagram DMs and open any one-on-one or group conversation. You’ll spot a new icon at the top — that’s the Blend button (usually two little play symbols or something that screams “shared Reels magic”).
Step 2: Tap the Blend Icon
Give that Blend button a tap. If you and the person/group haven’t started a Blend before, Instagram will prompt you to send an invite. The invite shows up right in the chat thread.
Step 3: Invite and Accept
Once you tap “Invite”, your friend(s) will get a notification in the chat. As soon as at least one other person accepts, the Blend kicks off — and boom, you now have a personalized shared Reels feed built from everyone’s combined interests and watch history.
Step 4: Start Scrolling
After the Blend is live, just tap the “Go to Blend” button in the chat message or hit the Blend icon at the top of the conversation to jump back in. The feed refreshes daily, so there’s always something new to explore together. Reels that make you laugh, cringe, or scream internally? React and reply right from the Blend — and it all stays within the DM chat.
Bonus Tips:
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You can create multiple Blends with different people or groups.
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If the icon isn’t showing up, make sure your app is updated — it’s still rolling out for some users.
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Want out? You can leave the Blend anytime without leaving the group chat itself.
Final Thoughts
Instagram Blend is more than just a fun new toy — it’s a clever way to make Reels scrolling a little less lonely and a lot more social. Whether you’re bonding with your bestie, catching up with your crush, or just curious what your friends’ algorithms look like, Blend turns passive watching into something collaborative, personal, and even a little addictive.
It’s easy to set up, refreshes daily, and keeps the conversation flowing right inside your DMs. Plus, it’s a low-effort way to stay connected — no endless link sharing required.
So if you’re tired of sending Reels one at a time and want to share the scroll in real-time, give Blend a spin. Who knows? You might just discover a new favorite creator — or a whole new side of your friends.
FAQs About Instagram Blend
1. Can I create a Blend in a group chat?
Yes! Blend works in both one-on-one DMs and small group chats. The feed is tailored using everyone’s viewing data, so the more people, the more chaotic (in the best way) your Blend might get.
2. Where can I find the Blend after creating it?
You can return to your Blend by tapping the Blend icon at the top of the chat or by clicking “Go to Blend” in the confirmation message sent when it’s first created.
3. Why don’t I see the Blend option in my Instagram app?
The feature is still rolling out globally, so if you don’t see it yet, make sure your app is updated. If it’s still missing, sit tight — it should show up soon.
4. Can I leave or delete a Blend?
You can’t delete a Blend separately, but you can stop using it or leave the chat if you no longer want to participate. Instagram hasn’t added a “leave Blend” button yet — maybe soon!
5. Can I save Reels from a Blend?
There’s no built-in download option for Blend Reels, but you can save them to your Instagram collections like any other Reel, or use third-party tools (if you’re careful) to download them.
6. How often does the Blend feed refresh?
The Blend feed updates daily, pulling in new Reels based on everyone’s latest activity and interests. So every day brings a fresh batch of content to scroll through together.
7. Can I have multiple Blend feeds with different people?
Yes! You can create separate Blends in different DM conversations. Each Blend is unique and based on the viewing habits of the people in that specific chat.
8. Can I react or comment on Reels inside a Blend?
Definitely. You can react, reply, and comment on Reels directly in the chat — just like regular Reels. It keeps the conversation going right where the content lives.
9. Is Blend private?
Yes — Blends are only visible to the people in the DM thread. It’s like a private For You page that only you and your selected chat members can see.
10. What types of Reels show up in Blend?
Instagram curates Reels based on a combination of participants’ likes, watch history, shares, saves, and engagement. So if you love comedy and your friend’s into beauty tutorials, expect a little of both.
11. Does Blend work on Instagram desktop?
As of now, Blend is designed for the mobile app only. You won’t see the Blend feature or feed on Instagram Web.
12. Can businesses or creators use Blend to connect with followers?
Blend is currently meant for personal use in private DMs, not public pages or business profiles. However, creators can still use it to stay engaged with close followers or collaborators in a more personal way.
13. Will Blend affect my main Reels feed or algorithm?
Nope — your Blend activity doesn’t change your main Reels feed. It’s a separate experience based on combined interests within that specific DM conversation.
14. Is there a limit to how many people can be in a Blend?
Instagram hasn’t officially stated a cap, but Blend works best in small groups. Larger chats may dilute personalization, so for the best results, keep it cozy.