Instagram Lets You Finally Tell Its Algorithm What You Want

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For years, Instagram has decided what you see in your feed based on what you tap, watch, and linger on. But starting this week, you can finally talk back.

Instagram just rolled out “Your Algorithm” — a new feature that lets you see exactly what topics Instagram thinks you are interested in and change them on the spot. No more cryptic algorithms guessing what you want. You can now tell it directly.

What Is “Your Algorithm”?

The feature, announced by Instagram boss Adam Mosseri on June 26, 2026, gives you a simple menu of topics Instagram has tagged you with based on your activity. You can:

View the topics Instagram thinks you care about
Remove topics you do not want to see
Add new topics you are interested in

Right now, it works with topics only, but Instagram is already testing support for people, different moods or vibes, content types, and more.

This follows earlier rollouts of Your Algorithm for Reels and the Explore page. Now it is coming to your main feed.

Why This Matters

Mosseri got surprisingly philosophical about the change:

“This is the start of something bigger than a feature. I believe it is in our best interest as a business to empower people to shape Instagram into something that works for them.”

He acknowledged that algorithmic recommendations, while technically impressive, came at a “cost” to people’s agency. The old system was one-sided — the app learned from you, but you could not tell it what you wanted.

“I think this is part of what people feel when they feel uneasy about social media — not the content itself, but the sense that the experience is happening to them rather than being shaped by them.”

The key enabler? Large Language Models (LLMs). Mosseri says LLMs can now “look at clusters of content and describe them in language people understand,” giving Instagram a way to show users what the system thinks and let them correct it.

How to Use It

Open Instagram and go to your main feed
Tap the menu or settings
Find “Your Algorithm”
You will see a list of topics Instagram thinks you like
Remove anything that does not fit
Add topics you actually want to see more of

That is it. No more endless scrolling through content you do not care about.

FAQ

Does Your Algorithm replace the regular feed algorithm?

No — it is a layer on top. The algorithm still ranks content, but now you have a direct way to influence what topics it prioritizes. Think of it as steering the wheel rather than being a passenger.

Can I use this on Reels and Explore too?

Yes! Your Algorithm was already available for Reels and Explore. This update brings it to your main feed, making it a unified experience across the entire app.

Will this affect what my friends see?

No. Your Algorithm settings are personal to your account. They only affect what Instagram shows you.

Is this available on Android and iOS?

Yes, the feature is rolling out globally on both platforms. If you do not see it yet, check for an app update in your app store.

Can I reset my algorithm to default?

There is no reset button yet, but you can manually remove all suggested topics to start fresh. Instagram may add a reset option in future updates.

Bottom Line

Instagram Your Algorithm feature is a genuine step forward in giving users control over their social media experience. For too long, we have been at the mercy of black-box recommendation systems. Being able to tell Instagram “I do not want to see this” — in plain language — is a meaningful change.

If you are tired of seeing the same content you do not care about, give it a try. Your feed should work for you, not against you.