Instagram launched the “Your Algorithm” feature, enabling users to influence content recommendations in the Reels tab through an AI-driven dashboard of personal interests derived from engagement history.
The feature introduces a new icon consisting of two lines with hearts in the top-right corner of the Reels screen. Tapping this icon reveals a personal dashboard that lists a user’s top interests, calculated by artificial intelligence analyzing patterns in content interactions such as likes, views, and shares. This dashboard provides a clear view of how the platform interprets user preferences based on past activity within the app.
Users gain the ability to adjust these interests directly on the dashboard. They can select specific topics to see more content about or indicate preferences for less exposure to certain areas. If the AI incorrectly identifies an interest, individuals have the option to remove it entirely from their algorithm profile. This real-time adjustment mechanism allows for immediate feedback to the system, altering future Reels recommendations accordingly.
Tessa Lyons, vice president of product at Instagram, described the technology in an exclusive interview aired on “Good Morning America.” She stated, “We use AI to summarize your interests based on your activity.” Lyons further explained the correction process: “And if we get it wrong, you can remove those interests from your algorithm.” She emphasized the value of user input, noting, “Being able to tell us that directly so that we can take action in real time, I think, will improve their Instagram experience.”
Lyons added,
“This is one way for you to give us feedback on what you’re seeing on reels that can influence the reels you’re seeing going forward. And I think people are going to really enjoy having that level of control and customization.”
The dashboard includes a sharing function, permitting users to post their algorithm interests directly to their Instagram story. This option lets followers view the listed topics, fostering discussions about content preferences among networks. An Instagram blog post detailing the feature outlines key capabilities: users can “see your top interests,” “tune your preferences,” and “share your algorithm.” The post positions Instagram as advancing user control to ensure Reels content aligns closely with individual tastes.
Instagram intends to expand this functionality beyond the Reels tab. The company plans to integrate similar controls into the Explore tab and additional sections of the app in upcoming updates. The blog post acknowledges ongoing development: “We’re starting with the Reels tab, and are planning to bring this ability to Explore, and more places in the app soon.” It also states, “We’re still early in this journey, and will keep refining and improving the experience over time.”
Alongside this rollout, Meta announced expansions to teen safety features across its platforms, though specific details on these enhancements were not elaborated in the announcement.
