Instagram Tests New Controls for Algorithm and Reels Feed
Instagram is experimenting with enhanced algorithm controls designed to give users more influence over the recommendations they see on the platform. The move aims to simplify the way users can specify their content preferences and improve their overall experience.
Building on the existing “Your Algorithm” feature, Instagram’s head Adam Mosseri recently shared that the company is testing various ways to make algorithm controls more accessible and effective. These features are gradually being introduced to users, with some tests already underway and others planned for future rollout.
Among the ideas Instagram is considering, the first involves making the “Your Algorithm” panel easier to access directly from the home screen by allowing users to drag down on the screen, where they can then add or remove topics associated with their interests.
Another test places control buttons directly between Reels in the user’s in-stream feed. This lower function bar allows users to quickly signal their interest or disinterest in recommended Reels, helping to tailor their feed while scrolling without needing to leave the current view.
The most innovative approach is the use of conversational prompts to help refine content recommendations. Instead of selecting specific topics, users would interact with the algorithm in a more natural, dialogue-like manner, enabling a more intuitive way to guide the feed. Mosseri mentioned this feature could make the algorithm feel more like a tool users engage with rather than a passive system imposed on them.
Despite these upgrades, challenges remain. Many users have long requested an option for a simple chronological feed showing posts only from accounts they follow, which Instagram has not provided due to the higher engagement generated by algorithmic feeds. Critics argue that such controls may offer the appearance of choice without granting substantial agency since most users may not actively adjust these settings. The influence of platforms like TikTok has shaped user expectations toward feeds that learn and adapt automatically.
Nevertheless, these newly tested controls could offer users an additional way to steer Instagram’s algorithm if they wish to invest the effort. This initiative reflects an ongoing industry trend to balance algorithmic recommendations with clearer user autonomy.
As Instagram continues developing these features, they highlight the platform’s acknowledgment of user feedback and its desire to enhance transparency and personalization.