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A free guide by Mariah Brunner ↗ INSTAGRAM ↗ TIKTOK

Meta’s Muse Spark
Can Search Instagram

Meta’s AI can pull in posts from Instagram, Facebook and Threads, which ChatGPT and Claude can’t. Here’s how to use it and every use case I’ve found.

On April 8, 2026, Meta released Muse Spark, the first model from Meta Superintelligence Labs. It powers the Meta AI app and meta.ai, and Meta says answers can weave in "Reels, photos, and posts" from its apps, with credit to the creators. (Meta)

Here’s why that matters. When ChatGPT or Claude look something up, they search the open web. They can’t see what’s happening on Instagram right now. Meta AI can, so you can describe what you want in plain words and it goes looking.

What it can see

When Simon Willison looked under the hood at launch, he found a content search tool covering Instagram, Threads and Facebook posts, limited to posts you’re allowed to view that were created since January 1, 2025. In practice that means public posts and posts from accounts you follow. It searches posts, not your DMs. (His breakdown)

How To Use It

01

Open Meta AI

Download the Meta AI app (iPhone or Android) or go to meta.ai in your browser. It’s free.

02

Log in with Facebook or Instagram

Your Meta account is what lets it search social content for you.

03

Ask in plain words

No special commands. It picks the right tool (web search, social search, image generation and more) based on what you ask.

Pick a mode

Instant is for quick answers. Thinking takes longer and handles multi-step research, so use it for the prompts below. Meta also started rolling out Contemplating, which runs several agents in parallel on harder problems. (TestingCatalog)

What Else It Can Do

Social search is the headline, but testers found 16 built-in tools at launch (full list). The useful ones for you:

  1. Web search across the open web.
  2. Product search in Meta’s shopping catalog.
  3. Image generation from a text prompt.
  4. Photo analysis that can spot, label and count things in a picture you upload.
  5. Mini apps and charts it builds and runs right in the chat.
  6. Calendar and email linking for Google Calendar, Gmail and Outlook.
10 Ways To Use It

Here’s every use case I’ve found, each with a prompt you can copy. Fill in the [brackets] and use Thinking mode.

01

Find creators talking about your brand

If you own a brand or run marketing, this one alone is worth it. Skip the hashtag scrolling and the paid influencer platform.

Find creators talking about your brand
Search Instagram for Reels from the last 2 weeks where a creator talks about [brand name]. Only include posts with at least [50,000] views. For each one, give me: - The creator's handle and rough follower count - The post link and date - What they said about the brand, in one line - Whether it was positive, negative or mixed Sort by views, highest first. If you find fewer than 5, say so instead of padding the list with weak matches.

02

Find UGC creators for partnerships

UGC creators are gold for paid ads. Build a shortlist of people already making content in your niche, then reach out directly.

Find UGC creators for partnerships
I'm looking for UGC creators for [brand / product category]. Search Instagram for creators who posted UGC-style content (talking to camera, unboxing, testing a product) about [category, e.g. skincare] in the last 30 days. Give me a shortlist of 10 in a table: - Handle - Link to their best matching post - Content style in a few words - Why they'd fit a brand like mine: [describe your brand in one line] Skip big celebrity accounts. I want creators who look like they'd answer a DM.

03

Monitor reviews and mentions

Social listening in one prompt. Run it weekly to catch complaints early and find happy customers to feature.

Monitor reviews and mentions
Find Instagram and Threads posts from the last 3 weeks where people review or talk about [product name]. Then give me: 1. Overall sentiment, in one sentence 2. The top 3 things people love, with one example post each 3. The top 3 complaints, with one example post each 4. Any customers who'd be great to feature or thank, with links Quote people's actual words. Don't summarize what you can't link to.

04

Research competitors

See what people say about them and which formats get engagement, then find the angle they’re missing.

Research competitors
Find the most engaged Instagram posts about [competitor brand] from the last 30 days, from the brand itself and from people talking about it. Tell me: 1. What people praise and complain about 2. Which content formats get the most engagement (Reels, carousels, UGC, founder videos) 3. 3 specific gaps or angles my brand, [your brand], could own Link every example you use.

05

Spot what’s trending in your niche

Stop guessing what to post. See what’s performing in your space this week.

Spot what’s trending in your niche
What [your niche, e.g. fitness] content is getting the most engagement on Instagram Reels this week? Show me 5 to 8 examples with links. For each, break down: - The hook (first line or first 3 seconds) - The format - Why you think it's working Then suggest 3 video ideas for my account, [@handle], that use what's working without copying anyone.

06

Get local picks from real people

Public posts from locals, instead of sponsored blog lists.

Get local picks from real people
Find public Instagram and Threads posts from the last 30 days where people in [city] recommend [restaurants / coffee shops / things to do]. List the places that come up more than once, with: - How many posts mentioned it - What people say about it - A link to the best post Leave out anything that looks like a paid ad or a sponsored post.

07

Shop with creator picks

Shopping mode draws on the styling and brand content already on Meta’s apps, and Meta says it can search Facebook Marketplace listings near you.

Shop with creator picks
Use shopping mode. I'm looking for [item, e.g. a lightweight summer jacket] under [$150]. My must-haves: [list]. I don't care about: [list]. Show me 5 options that Instagram creators are recommending right now. For each: the product, price, where to buy it, and a link to the creator post. Then tell me which one you'd pick for me and why.

08

Audit your own account

Turn the search on yourself and see what people say about you and your content.

Audit your own account
Search Instagram and Threads for posts from the last 30 days that mention @[your handle] or [your brand name]. Tell me: 1. The overall sentiment 2. Which of my posts or products people are talking about most 3. Any complaints or questions I should answer, with links 4. People who shared or praised my work that I should thank Keep it to one page.

09

Monitor an event or launch

Launching something? See the reaction in real time without refreshing a hashtag all day.

Monitor an event or launch
Find Instagram and Threads posts from the last 48 hours that mention [event or launch name] or [#hashtag]. Give me: 1. The overall reaction in one sentence 2. What people are most excited about 3. Any negative feedback or confusion I should address today 4. The 5 posts with the most engagement, with links Flag anything that looks like it needs a reply from me in the next hour.

10

Find viral formats to learn from

Your new content research tool. Study what’s working, then make it yours.

Find viral formats to learn from
What Instagram Reel formats are getting the most engagement in [your niche, e.g. personal finance] this week? Find 5 examples with links. For each, describe: - The hook - The structure, beat by beat - Why it works Then write me one script outline in the same structure for this topic: [your topic]. Make it mine, not a copy.
What To Know
  1. It only sees what you could see. Posts you already have access to, like public posts and accounts you follow. It searches posts, not your DMs.
  2. It’s not open source. Unlike Meta’s Llama models, Muse Spark is closed. Meta says it hopes "to open-source future versions." (Meta)
  3. Check the links. Always open the posts it cites before you DM a creator or quote a review.
  4. Muse is a different thing. Meta also has Muse, a separate personal AI agent app that does tasks for you. Here’s how to set it up.

My take

Social search is the killer feature. ChatGPT and Claude are still my picks for deep research and writing, but neither can see what’s happening on Instagram right now. For brand owners, marketers and creators, this fills a real gap. Use Meta AI for social intel and Claude for the rest.