Artifact, the recently launched personalized news app from Instagram’s founders, is today launching a key new feature: a social discussions component. Previously in private testing, the feature introduces a way for users to comment and engage in conversations around news articles they’re reading on the service. With today’s update, all Artifact users will now see comments on articles, the company says.
To leave a comment of your own, Artifact users will have to first create a profile on the service — a relatively simple process that requires you to add and verify your phone number. This initial step will help mitigate spam, the company notes.
These display names are not unique, which means no one has to fight over their name as they did on Instagram. While Artifact will encourage people to use their full names, it will allow pseudonyms.
The feature’s addition makes Artifact more of a social network around news, rather