Instagram Tests New Reels Algorithm Control Features
Instagram is testing innovative algorithm control options for Reels, giving users unprecedented power to customize their content experience. The new “Your Algorithm” feature, announced last month and now available to select users, displays a simplified overview of topics the platform believes users are interested in.
The update allows users to manually adjust their Reels feed by adding or removing broad topic groups. When tapping into any subject, Instagram provides examples of the types of content users can expect, offering valuable context for decision-making. This transparency represents one of the most comprehensive algorithm control implementations across social media platforms.
Will Users Actually Engage With These Controls?
Despite the impressive functionality, historical data suggests most users may not utilize these features. Meta has consistently observed that while people demand control options, very few actually implement them. Following the Cambridge Analytica scandal, Facebook introduced extensive privacy settings, yet the company’s former VP of Global Marketing confirmed minimal changes in user behavior regarding data sharing.
The Strategic Value of Offering Choice
Meta understands this pattern well. By providing control options, the company addresses user concerns about algorithmic manipulation while maintaining the effectiveness of its AI-powered recommendation systems. These features serve primarily as reassurance rather than actively-used tools.
Research consistently shows that most social media users never adjust privacy settings or implement parental controls. Meta benefits from keeping algorithmic targeting intact, which explains its reluctance to make chronological feeds the default option.
With 3 billion Instagram users, the platform likely won’t see widespread adoption of manual algorithm editing. However, the availability of these controls provides Meta with a defense against criticism—users can’t complain about their experience when customization options exist.