First announced last month, this new feature is now being tested with select users. As shown by Roberto P. Nickson, the “Your Algorithm” section will soon appear within Reels settings and can be accessed from the Reels feed menu.
Through this section, users can view a simplified list of topics Instagram’s algorithm associates with their interests. They can easily modify these interests by deleting or adding topics. Tapping on any topic also reveals more management options, along with examples of Reels tied to that subject—helping users decide whether to keep or remove it.
This update gives users greater transparency and control over their feed, addressing ongoing concerns about algorithmic influence and Meta’s AI-driven recommendations. It’s one of the most practical and user-friendly approaches to algorithm control that any platform has introduced so far.
However, the big question is: will people actually use it?
Meta has often introduced similar “control” tools in response to criticism over content amplification or algorithmic bias. While these tools provide a sense of control, historical data shows that very few users take the time to adjust such settings.
Following the Cambridge Analytica scandal, for example, Facebook added numerous privacy and data control features. Despite widespread outrage, user behavior barely changed. As former VP of Global Marketing Carolyn Everson noted, “We’ve not seen wild changes in behavior with people saying I’m not going to share any data with Facebook anymore.”
Research continues to show that most users rarely modify privacy, feed, or algorithm settings. People like having the option—it reassures them—but they rarely use it.
Meta understands this dynamic. By simply offering these tools, it can claim to provide control and transparency, even if most users stick with default settings. Meanwhile, its recommendation algorithms continue to drive engagement and keep users hooked.
So while Instagram’s new Reels algorithm control is a welcome feature, it’s unlikely that many of the platform’s 3 billion users will actively fine-tune their preferences. Still, the option exists—and with it, Meta can say users have the power to shape their own experience.