Instagram is introducing a new tool that allows you to see and control your algorithm, starting with reels, the company announced on Wednesday. A new tool, called “your algorithm,” allows you to see the topics that make up the suggestion reels and customize them to suit your interests.
If you look at Reels, you will see an icon in the top corner that looks like two. Tapping on that will open “your algorithm.” You will then see what topics Instagram thinks about the most. Instagram says your interest list is determined from your activity and summarized by AI.
For example, you might see a description that reads: “Lately you’ve been into creativity, sports hype, fitness motivation, and skateboarding.” You can choose to share this description for your story, so your followers can see what you’re up to, as you do with you Spotify is wrapped Result.
Below the summary, you will be able to see a list of topics that reflect what you want to see, and your recommendations will adapt. In addition, if you are interested in a topic that is not listed, you can type it to add it to your interest list.
The move follows Tiktok’s rollout “Manage topic” Last year, that allowed users to take more control over what you see for you. Similar to Instagram’s new feature, tiktok allows you to tailor your feed to show more or less of a certain topic.
However, unlike Tiktok, which only displays around general topic categories, Instagram’s list is personalized for you and allows you to add additional topics.
The new Instagram tool is available starting Wednesday in the US and will roll out globally in the UK soon.
Going forward, people will be able to use your algorithmic tools to create an explore feed, Instagram said. The company plans to bring tools in the app as well.