Instagram has introduced a new feature that allows users to view and fine-tune the algorithm behind their Reels recommendations, marking a significant shift toward greater user control on the platform.
The Meta-owned platform announced the tool, called “Your Algorithm,” which can be accessed through an icon at the top right corner of the Reels page. The feature displays a list of topics Instagram believes a user is interested in, based on their activity and viewing patterns.
According to a statement from Meta, users can now indicate which topics they want to see more or less of, enabling the recommendation system to adjust instantly. The company said the update is designed to give people clearer insight into why certain videos appear on their feeds and the ability to customize them more easily.
Tech companies have long faced criticism for the opacity of their recommendation systems, which some argue contribute to echo chambers or push harmful content. While algorithms remain central to user engagement, platforms have increasingly been pressured to provide more transparency and user-friendly controls.
“Instagram has always been a space for exploring your interests and staying connected,” the company said. “As those interests shift, we want to give people more meaningful tools to influence what shows up on their feed.”
The new feature offers a summary of each user’s top interests and includes a search option where users can input specific topics they want to manage. Instagram said it plans to extend the feature beyond Reels to other sections like Explore.
The tool became available Wednesday in the United States and will roll out globally in English in the coming weeks.
Its launch coincides with Australia’s recent decision to restrict access to several major social media platforms — including Instagram — for users under 16, aiming to protect young people from what the government described as “predatory algorithms.”
