Instinct Pushes Product Recommendations After $1 Billion Raise, Drawing User Backlash
Updated
Updated · TechCrunch · Sep 30
Instinct Pushes Product Recommendations After $1 Billion Raise, Drawing User Backlash
3 articles · Updated · TechCrunch · Sep 30
Summary
Instinct overnight began sending unsolicited product suggestions through a new feature, Instinct Selections, prompting complaints from users who said the pitches felt spammy and poorly matched to their needs.
Founder Noah Shinn said the feature is meant to create personalized dining, travel and shopping lists by combining AI with recommendations from chefs, designers, architects and local guides.
The rollout points to a potential commerce or advertising revenue stream, though Instinct has not said whether it is already monetizing the recommendations or who its human partners are.
The backlash lands just after Instinct confirmed a $1 billion Series C that valued it at $10 billion, while the company still has not disclosed user numbers.
Shinn recently said the agent is nearing $1 billion in annual transactions for users, with more than 50% tied to travel, underscoring why recommendation-driven monetization could matter.