Instagram gives you more control over the algorithm
Instagram is working on a new feature that will give you more control over the content of your ‘For You’ feed. Instead of being entirely dependent on the recommendation algorithm, you’ll soon be able to specify which topics you find interesting and which you don’t.
The new feature is called ‘Your Algorithm’ and shows which interests Instagram has linked to your account. These might include topics such as sport, painting or horror films, according to Tweakers. If you feel that certain themes don’t suit you, you can remove them. You can also add new interests yourself to see more content on those topics.
According to Instagram’s head, Adam Mosseri, the aim is to give users a better understanding of how recommendations are made. This not only provides greater transparency but also gives you more control over what appears in your feed.
The feature isn’t entirely new. Instagram had previously introduced similar options for Reels and the Explore page. Now, the same approach is being extended to the main feed. Specifically, this applies to the ‘For You’ timeline, where recommendations are curated by the algorithm. The chronological feed remains unchanged and displays posts in the order they were posted.
Instagram also has plans to expand the feature further. In future, you’ll be able to set preferences not only for topics, but also for specific people, certain types of content and even the general tone or ‘vibe’ of the posts you see.
For users who sometimes feel that their feed no longer matches their interests, this feature could be a useful addition. By actively adjusting your preferences, it becomes easier to tailor recommendations to what you actually want to see.
However, the roll-out has not yet begun everywhere. At present, the feature is not yet available to users in the Netherlands and Belgium. Instagram has not yet announced when it will become available there.
