Tired of your Instagram filters messing with your Threads feed? A game-changing update is here to put you back in the driver’s seat.
Since its launch, Threads has been intrinsically linked to Instagram, for better or for worse. While the connection made onboarding seamless, it also meant many settings, including your list of muted or hidden words, were simply mirrored from one platform to the other. Today, that changes. Meta is rolling out a dedicated, separate ‘Hidden Words’ feature just for Threads, giving users the granular control they’ve been asking for.
What’s New? Unlinking Your Feeds
In simple terms, your moderation settings for Threads are no longer tied to Instagram. Previously, if you added a word, phrase, or emoji to your ‘Hidden Words’ list on Instagram to avoid certain content, that rule was automatically applied to your Threads experience. This one-size-fits-all approach wasn’t ideal, as the conversations and communities on each platform can be vastly different.
With this new update, you can now build a unique list of hidden words specifically for your Threads account. This means you can filter out spoilers for a show you only discuss on Threads without affecting your Instagram, or mute political terms on one platform while engaging with them on the other. It’s your feed, your rules.
Why This Is a Game-Changer for Your Social Experience
This update is more than just a minor tweak; it’s a fundamental step towards making Threads a more personalized and safer space for everyone. Here’s why it matters:
- Tailored Content Curation: You can now fine-tune each platform to match the specific community and content you engage with there.
- Enhanced User Control: It empowers you to proactively manage your mental well-being by easily filtering out content that you find triggering, offensive, or simply annoying.
- A Step Towards Independence: This move signals that Meta is serious about developing Threads as a standalone platform with its own identity, rather than just an extension of Instagram.
How to Set Up Your New Threads ‘Hidden Words’ List
Ready to take control? Customizing your new settings is easy. Just follow these simple steps:
- Open your Threads app and navigate to your profile page.
- Tap the two-line menu icon in the top-right corner to open Settings.
- Select ‘Privacy’ from the menu.
- Tap on ‘Hidden Words’. Here you will see that your list is now separate from Instagram’s.
- Tap ‘Manage custom words and phrases’ to add any words, phrases, hashtags, or emojis you want to hide from your feed and replies.
This small but powerful update is a massive win for user autonomy. Go ahead, customize your settings, and start building a better, cleaner Threads experience today.