Instagram may soon give users more control over what appears in their feeds and Reels, as the platform continues testing new ways to personalize content recommendations.
Instagram head Adam Mosseri recently shared a preview of possible updates to “Your Algorithm,” a feature designed to let users tell Instagram which topics they want to see more often and which ones they would rather avoid. The tool was introduced last year and has gradually been expanding across different parts of the app.
Mosseri said Instagram wants to make Your Algorithm feel less like a hidden setting and more like a core part of the Instagram experience. He explained that some of the ideas are already being tested, while others are planned for the future, though not every experiment may become a permanent feature.
The examples shown suggest Instagram is exploring more convenient ways to adjust recommendations in real time. One concept would let users pull down on their feed to access the Your Algorithm menu. Another would allow people to swipe up from a Reel and open a customization prompt. A third test shows simple buttons under Reels, giving users a quick way to say whether they want to see more videos like the one currently playing.
These changes could make Instagram’s recommendation system feel more transparent and responsive. Instead of relying only on likes, watch time, shares, and other activity signals, users may get more direct control over the topics and content styles that shape their feeds.
However, many Instagram users appear to want something even simpler: a feed that prioritizes posts from people they already follow. The most popular comments under Mosseri’s post focused on that request, with one user summing up the frustration by saying they just want the algorithm to show content from the accounts they follow.
The reaction highlights an ongoing tension for Instagram. The platform has leaned heavily into recommended content, especially short-form videos, to compete in the social media space. But many longtime users still prefer a more personal experience centered on friends, family, creators, and brands they intentionally chose to follow.
If Instagram moves forward with these Your Algorithm updates, it could be a step toward giving users more control over their experience while still keeping recommendations at the center of the app. For now, the company appears to be testing different ways to make content personalization faster, easier, and more visible.
