Customise Your Content: Instagram Pilots New Feature to Let Users Adjust Their Feed Algorithm

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Instagram is testing new ways to allow users to fine-tune their algorithm by including or removing topics. The new feature is currently limited to Reels. This major shift stems from the goal to make the content more relevant and prioritize original creators over reposting accounts.

Granting Users Algorithm Control

According to sources, Instagram is exploring unique ways to offer users more control over their feed. This initiative focuses on making the content feel more relevant and customized. Users might soon be able to "fine-tune" the machine learning algorithms that organize the feed. The platform is trying to address common user frustrations associated with the current content ranking.

Instagram head Adam Mosseri stated that “Today we're starting to test a way for you to tune your algorithm on Instagram by adding and removing topics based on your interests.” He further added, “We're launching this feature on Reels first, with plans to expand to Explore soon.”

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Instagram uses multiple algorithms, each of which is tailored to different parts of the application. For example, there are separate systems for the main Feed, Stories, Reels, and the Explore page. This new focus on customization can greatly enhance viewer satisfaction, eventually providing users with a more direct influence over what they see.

Rethinking Recommendations for Reels and Explore


The platform is also making changes to improve content recommendations in Reels and Explore sections. Instagram is now attempting to prioritize original content over reposted videos in these areas that have comparatively higher visibility than the rest. The new algorithm smartly detects content that has been posted multiple times from different accounts.

The main purpose of this sudden shift is to give smaller creators an equal chance at visibility. Accounts that have been repeatedly reposting unoriginal content will now face reduced visibility.

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Additionally, reposted content will be flagged by the algorithm as soon as it is posted, and the original creator of the content will be credited instead of the account that reposted it. This change ensures authenticity throughout the platform and supports original content creation. The change basically focuses on building a more creative and diverse content ecosystem.