Instagram is diving deeper into community engagement with a new feature in the works. The social media giant is testing a "community chat" feature, aiming to create a more interactive experience for its users. Think of it as a mini-Discord right within Instagram.
According to developer Alessandro Paluzzi, who has a knack for uncovering unreleased features in Meta's apps, these community chats will allow groups of up to 250 people to connect around specific topics. It's all about fostering conversation and building closer communities.
How Will It Work?
The setup seems pretty straightforward. Users can create chats centered on particular themes and control who gets to join the conversation. Unlike Instagram's broadcast channels, where creators simply push out messages, community chats are designed for everyone to participate.
Safety is also a priority. The feature includes built-in moderation tools, allowing admins to remove messages and members to keep the channel a positive and respectful space. Instagram's Community Standards will also apply to these chats.
An Instagram spokesperson confirmed that this is an internal prototype, not currently being tested publicly. “We are always working on new ways to connect people,” they stated.
Meta's Broader Strategy
This isn't the first time Meta has explored community-focused features. WhatsApp began experimenting with "Communities" in 2022, and Facebook and Messenger have also introduced similar chat functionalities. Mark Zuckerberg has previously emphasized that the goal is to help people connect with others who share their interests.
Speaking of Meta, the company is also making moves in the AI space. Reports suggest that Meta is developing a standalone AI app, joining the growing trend of AI-powered products. This app would showcase Meta's generative AI capabilities.
WhatsApp Gets an AI Boost
Furthermore, WhatsApp is set to receive an upgrade that will integrate Meta AI more seamlessly. While details are scarce, the update might include a home screen widget for quicker access to Meta AI features.
It seems Meta is betting big on both community-driven interactions and the power of AI. Whether these experiments will translate into widespread adoption remains to be seen, but it's clear that Meta is actively exploring new ways to engage its users and leverage emerging technologies.
Of course, not everything goes smoothly. WhatsApp has experienced recent service outages, highlighting the challenges of maintaining a global messaging platform. However, Meta's commitment to innovation suggests that these hiccups won't deter them from pushing forward.
Only time will tell if Instagram's community chats will become the next big thing, or if Meta's AI ventures will revolutionize the way we interact with technology. But one thing is certain: the tech landscape is constantly evolving, and Meta is determined to be at the forefront of that change.