By Meta is testing the waters of AI-powered search for its hugely popular photo and video sharing platform, Instagram. This new feature, currently in a limited trial, aims to improve content discovery and user experience.
Gone may be the days of simply typing keywords into the search bar. With this new feature, users might encounter a “Chat with AI” option upon tapping the search bar. This would initiate a direct message conversation with Meta AI, allowing users to ask questions or utilize pre-loaded prompts for content discovery.
For instance, instead of just searching for “sunset pictures,” a user could ask the AI assistant to recommend “Beautiful Maui sunset Reels.” The AI would then curate a personalized feed showcasing relevant Reels matching that description.
This experiment extends Meta’s exploration of generative AI, a form of artificial intelligence capable of creating new content.
Previously, Meta implemented a similar AI chatbot on WhatsApp in select regions.
While details on the specific AI tech used in Instagram search remain unconfirmed by Meta, the company has acknowledged it’s exploring various generative AI-powered experiences. This push for AI integration likely stems from a desire to enhance discoverability and compete with the powerful content recommendation algorithms of platforms like TikTok.
The success of this limited trial will determine the future of AI-powered search on Instagram. If the experiment proves fruitful, users can expect a more intuitive and personalized search experience within the app.
