Instagram has announced a major new update that gives users more control over what appears in their Reels feed. The feature, called ‘Your Algorithm’, is being described as a step toward greater transparency at a time when governments and users are demanding more clarity about how social media algorithms work.
With this update, Instagram users will finally be able to see the topics Instagram believes they are interested in - and adjust their feed accordingly.

1. What Is Instagram’s New ‘Your Algorithm’ Feature?

‘Your Algorithm’ is an AI-powered tool that allows users to view and manage the content categories shaping their Reels recommendations.
Instead of simply showing videos based on invisible algorithm rules, Instagram will now show users a list of topics generated through their recent interactions.

2. Where Can Users Find the Feature?

The feature appears in the upper-right corner of the Reels tab.
Once opened, it displays a personalized summary of interests - such as Painting, Chess, GRWM, Fitness, Horror Movies, and more - all detected by Instagram’s AI.

3. How Instagram Builds Your Interests Summary

According to Instagram head Adam Mosseri, the app uses a user’s recent activity-videos watched, liked, shared, or saved-to create this interest list.
These summaries are automatically updated as a user’s viewing habits evolve.

4. Users Can Now Choose What They Want to See More or Less Of

This is the biggest change.
Users can now directly tell Instagram:

• “Show me more of this topic,” or

• “Show me less of this topic.”

The recommendations will adjust in real time, giving users unprecedented control over their feed.

5. Option to Share Your Algorithm Summary With Followers

Instagram will let users share their interest summary as a post or story.
This could lead to a new trend where people compare their algorithm “profiles” with friends and influencers.

6. Feature Rolling Out in the U.S. First

Instagram confirmed that the feature is launching first in the United States starting this week.
A global rollout in English will follow soon, and Meta says more languages will be added in later stages.

7. Instagram Plans to Expand This Tool Beyond Reels

Currently, the tool works only in the Reels section.
However, Instagram says it plans to expand it to:

• Explore tab

• Search results

• Other recommendation-based sections

This could eventually give users full control over most of their Instagram experience.

8. Why Instagram Introduced This Feature

For years, regulators and users have criticized platforms for using algorithms that:

• Create echo chambers

• Push unhealthy or addictive content

• Lack transparency

Meta said the new update is part of an effort to give users more meaningful control as their interests change over time.

9. Global Regulatory Pressure Is Rising

The launch comes at a time when countries are demanding stricter oversight.
Australia recently became the first country in the world to ban users under 16 from apps like Instagram, citing concerns about “predatory algorithms” influencing young users.
This move adds pressure on platforms to show they are acting responsibly.

10. Why This Update Matters for Everyday Instagram Users

The update aims to fix a common frustration:
People often complain that Instagram shows too many unrelated or repetitive Reels.
Now, users can remove content categories they dislike and boost the ones they enjoy - making the platform feel more personalized and less random.

Conclusion

Instagram’s ‘Your Algorithm’ feature marks one of the biggest shifts in how recommendation systems work on social media. By allowing users to see and shape their algorithm, the platform is taking a rare step toward transparency and user empowerment.
As the rollout expands globally, it will be interesting to see how this feature influences user behavior- and whether other platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and Snapchat follow the same path.