Instagram Algorithm Control Rolls Out With New “Your Algorithm” Tool
Instagram has launched a new feature called “Your Algorithm,” and users are already asking how it works, what it changes, and whether it can finally fix repetitive Reels feeds. The update gives Instagram users more visibility into why they see certain videos—while offering direct control over personal recommendations. Within the first week of release, searches for “Instagram algorithm control” have spiked, as creators and everyday users try to understand how this new tool reshapes their Reels experience. With the feature now live globally, Instagram says it’s the biggest step yet toward making its algorithm more transparent and customizable.
Credit: stockcam/ Getty Images“Your Algorithm” Brings New Transparency to Reels
Instagram says the new algorithm control feature is designed to help people understand what drives their Reels recommendations. When watching Reels, users will now see a new icon in the upper-right corner—two horizontal lines with small hearts—that opens the “Your Algorithm” panel. Inside, Instagram reveals the topics the platform believes you care about, based on your activity and an AI-generated summary. The company says this is part of a broader push toward transparency as social apps face growing pressure to explain their recommendation systems. For creators, the feature could also provide clues about why certain videos hit the Explore page while others don’t.
AI-Generated Interest Summaries Make It Easier to See What Shapes Your Feed
At the heart of the new tool is an AI-powered summary that explains what Instagram thinks you’re “into” right now. Users might see descriptions such as, “Lately you’ve been into creativity, sports hype, fitness motivation, and skateboarding.” These summaries are automatically generated from recent interactions, watch time, likes, and search patterns. Instagram is also leaning into social sharing by allowing users to post their interest summaries to Stories, similar to the viral culture around Spotify Wrapped. The goal is to give users both clarity and conversation—letting them reflect on what the algorithm has learned and share that digital identity with friends.
Instagram Users Can Now Adjust Topics to Shape the Reels They See
Beneath the summary, users will find a list of topics the system believes match their interests. This is where the new Instagram algorithm control becomes hands-on. You can select topics you want to see more of, limit the ones you want less of, or remove entire categories from your feed. If something you care about isn’t listed, Instagram now lets you manually add new topics to your interests. The company says this level of customization will make Reels recommendations more accurate and satisfying, especially for users who feel their feed hasn’t been reflecting their actual preferences.
A More Personalized Reels Feed Without Resetting Everything
Until now, users frustrated with their Reels feed had few options besides clearing search history, muting certain creators, or trying to “retrain” the algorithm manually over time. With “Your Algorithm,” Instagram gives a more intuitive path to personalization. Instead of starting from scratch, users can refine and adjust based on what the system already knows. This structured approach could significantly improve retention among users who have felt overwhelmed by unwanted content. It also creates a more engaging experience for people who rely on Reels for niche interests that might be hard to discover otherwise.
Instagram Follows TikTok’s Lead in Giving Users More Control
Instagram’s move follows TikTok’s launch of its “Manage Topics” feature last year, which also allowed users to fine-tune what appears on the For You feed. TikTok’s rollout marked one of the first times a major platform gave users granular control over recommendation topics. With “Your Algorithm,” Instagram is clearly positioning itself to compete more directly with TikTok by offering similar feed-customization tools. The competitive pressure between the two platforms has accelerated features around transparency, user control, and algorithmic clarity—areas that regulators have also been watching closely.
Why Instagram Is Pushing Algorithm Control Now
Meta has been under increasing scrutiny around how its recommendation systems work, especially as AI-driven feeds shape social behavior, attention, and content trends. Giving users explicit control over what they see addresses both user frustration and political pressure. Over the past year, platforms have emphasized more “explainable AI” features, and Instagram’s new tool fits squarely into that shift. The company says the feature will begin with Reels but could expand to Explore and the main Feed as the system matures. For now, Reels is the testing ground for how users interact with algorithm transparency.
Creators Expect Shifts in Engagement Patterns
With the new algorithm control in place, creators may start noticing shifts in impressions and engagement. If more users tailor their interests, niche creators could benefit from higher-quality targeting, while general-interest accounts might see fluctuations as users remove broader topics. Instagram says creators should continue focusing on relevance, storytelling, and consistency—factors that still heavily influence reach. While the platform stops short of confirming whether topic selections directly impact distribution, experts say user-controlled interest signals are likely to become part of the recommendation formula.
The Feature Aims to Increase Trust and Retention
Meta’s internal research shows that users trust platforms more when they understand why content appears in their feed. By offering an algorithm breakdown and customization tools, Instagram hopes to reduce the sense of randomness some users feel. The company believes this will lead to longer sessions and more positive engagement, especially among users who have shifted time to TikTok. If early feedback is positive, Instagram may introduce more granular controls—such as adjusting intensity levels for each topic or creating custom interest profiles.
What This Means for the Future of Social Algorithms
Instagram’s “Your Algorithm” rollout marks a major shift in how social networks approach personalization. Instead of algorithms acting as black boxes, platforms are beginning to let users co-create their recommendation experiences. For everyday users, this means a Reels feed that feels more aligned with real interests instead of passing trends. For the industry, it signals a transition toward more transparent, user-directed systems. As competition deepens and AI recommendations grow more powerful, giving users choice may become the new standard across social media.
A Small Icon, a Big Change for Reels Users
The new feature may seem small—just an icon above a Reel—but the level of control it unlocks is significant. Instagram is betting that transparency and personalization will keep users more satisfied and more likely to engage. As more people explore “Your Algorithm,” the platform expects recommendations to improve, feeds to feel more accurate, and conversations to grow around what people are “into” right now. With algorithm control becoming a core part of the Reels experience, the update could reshape how millions interact with Instagram every day.
