Instagram head Adam Mosseri announced new prototypes to bring algorithm customization out of settings and into the core user experience, enabling easier control over the topics and types of content users see.
- Algorithm controls accessed via gestures and on-Reel buttons
- Customization extends across Feed, Reels, and Explore
- User demand remains strong for chronological feed of followed accounts
What happened
Adam Mosseri, head of Instagram, previewed new ways to surface the 'Your Algorithm' feature, which enables users to specify the topics they want to see more or less of. Instead of burying these controls in a settings menu, Instagram is testing a pull-down gesture on the main feed, swipe-up prompts on individual Reels, and buttons below Reels to indicate preferences in real time.
'Your Algorithm' was first introduced in December 2025 for Reels and has since expanded to Instagram's Explore page and main feed. This feature provides an AI-generated summary of the topics influencing a user’s recommendations and offers direct control to adjust preferences that apply across all content streams simultaneously.
Why it matters
This shift aims to make content customization a seamless part of the Instagram experience, rather than a hidden setting. By integrating feedback mechanisms directly into the feed and individual video content, Instagram hopes to empower users with more granular control over what they see without interrupting their browsing flow.
The move addresses ongoing user frustration with Instagram’s recommendation engine, especially the tension between discovery of new content and showing posts from followed accounts. While many users prefer a chronological feed, Instagram’s recommendation model prioritizes engagement with suggested content, making this customization feature critical to balancing those dynamics.
What to watch next
Instagram is currently testing these new prototypes, and some features may not remain in the final product. Observing user adoption and feedback will be important, particularly whether these gestures and buttons improve satisfaction with content recommendations without detracting from engagement metrics.
Additionally, the broader challenge of competing with TikTok and YouTube Shorts’ highly personalized algorithms remains. Instagram’s success with 'Your Algorithm' could influence how social platforms approach transparency and user control over AI-driven content curation in the future.