Instinct’s new product recommendations are giving some users the ick
techcrunch ·
AI startup Instinct has introduced a new feature called Instinct Selections, which pushes personalized product recommendations for dining, travel, and shopping to users. Founder Noah Shinn announced that the service partners with human experts like chefs and designers to provide curated suggestions rather than relying solely on training data. However, the rollout has sparked significant backlash from users who feel the unsolicited prompts are intrusive and unnecessary. Critics on social media described the experience as disappointing, comparing it to unwanted Amazon-style advertising rather than helpful assistance. Users expressed frustration that they received suggestions for items they did not need, such as luggage or accessories, based on email data and upcoming trips. This negative reception comes at a critical time for Instinct, which recently secured a $1 billion Series C round valuing the company at $10 billion. The company aims to monetize these interactions through potential affiliate or commerce plays, but the current implementation risks alienating users competing against agents from larger firms like Meta and OpenAI.
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