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Instagram has rolled out a new feature that finally lets users peek behind the curtain of their Reels recommendations — and push the algorithm in the direction they want. The change puts more control in users’ hands by showing what topics Instagram thinks you care about and letting you adjust those signals directly.
Tap the icon, meet your algorithm
To try it, open Reels and tap the small icon of two lines with hearts in the upper-right corner. That view lists topics the app associates with your tastes. From there you can tell Instagram to show you more or less of each topic. It’s as simple as opting in or out of categories — a direct way to fine-tune what appears in your feed.
Share the weird and the wonderful
Curious or mortified by what the algorithm thinks you like? Instagram also lets you share your inferred interests to your Story. It’s a lighthearted touch that turns algorithmic oddities into social moments — and, yes, something friends can poke fun at.
What’s coming next and where it’s available
Right now the tuning controls are rolling out in the US for Reels. Instagram says English-language users outside the US will get access soon, and the company plans to extend similar controls to the Explore tab and "more places in the app" down the road. In short: this is the start of a broader plan to make recommendation signals more transparent across Instagram.
Why this matters for creators and users
- Users gain agency: You can curb repetitive content, reduce topics you don’t want to see, and nudge your feed toward what actually interests you.
- Creators might notice shifts: As users dial preferences up or down, creators could see changes in reach for certain themes or formats.
- Privacy and discoverability: This doesn’t remove content, but it gives a clearer window into how Instagram categorizes your behavior and what drives recommendations.
Imagine discovering that Instagram thinks you’re into a niche hobby you barely remember clicking on — now you can correct it. Or you might double down on topics you love and get better recommendations faster.
Will this actually change your feed?
Yes — in theory. When you toggle topics, Instagram says its recommender system will adapt your Reels recommendations accordingly. Changes won’t be instantaneous for all users, but the feature is designed to visibly reshape what shows up over time as the algorithm reweights signals based on your choices.
For anyone fatigued by endless loops of the same trends or eager to discover new content tailored to real interests, this is one of the clearest moves yet toward more transparent, user-driven recommendations on a major social platform.
Source: gsmarena
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