Instinct tests personalized shopping recommendations; monetization remains unconfirmed

The hosts discussed an Instinct test that recommended products based on users’ interests. One host speculated that the service was not yet monetizing the test and was still experimenting; another said Instinct plans to strike deals with retailers and platforms and earn from purchases driven by recommendations. Those are plans, not evidence of current monetization.

The hosts debated whether such a service could create new demand. In one host’s view, sellers are unlikely to pay substantial referral fees if advertising or organic content has already created the buyer’s desire. Another suggested that the test could give the company evidence of demand for its next funding round. His example of conversion seven times higher than Instagram Reels ads was hypothetical, not a reported test result.

The discussion led to a broader point: commercial recommendations can be useful if they are genuinely relevant, but persistent prompts to buy may undermine trust in an agent. As an example, the hosts examined a recommendation to a Porsche 911 Targa owner: the system recognized an interest in cars but, in one host’s view, suggested unsuitable accessories—a battery trickle charger and an indoor car cover. They also noted that product recommendations by text can feel especially personal, and messages from an agent could be filtered into promotions or spam.

According to one host, Instinct had about 13–14 people as of the previous week. The company is shipping experiments quickly; it also hired Ben, who spent nearly a decade leading content and partnerships at Snapchat, as chief business officer. The host said his arrival could be a major unlock for the company—an assessment, not an established outcome.