Instagram is testing more ways for users to shape what they see in the app, giving people extra access points to its Your Algorithm controls. The experiment is designed to help users tell Instagram what they like, what they do not like, and what topics they want to see more or less of in their feed and Reels experience.
The update was highlighted by Instagram chief Adam Mosseri, who said the company wants its algorithm tools to feel more visible and useful across the platform. Some of the features are already being tested, while others are still being considered and may not make it into the final app experience. That part matters. Instagram is experimenting, not fully rolling everything out yet.
The “Your Algorithm” Tool Gets More Access Points
Instagram’s Your Algorithm feature is not entirely new, but the company is now looking at ways to make it easier to find. One version being tested would let users drag down from the home screen to open the Your Algorithm panel. From there, they could add or remove topics that Instagram has connected to their account based on engagement activity.
That sounds small, but it changes the feel of the feature. Right now, many algorithm tools are buried or easy to forget. Instagram appears to be testing whether people will actually use feed controls if they show up closer to where scrolling already happens.
Reels Could Get Direct Algorithm Controls
Instagram is also looking at ways to place topic controls inside the Reels experience. One test would insert access to algorithm preferences between Reels, while another would add control options along the lower function bar. These tools would let users signal whether they are interested or not interested in recommended Reels without digging through settings.
This is probably where the test becomes more important for creators and marketers. Reels remain one of Instagram’s strongest discovery surfaces. If users start actively adjusting what they want to see, even in small numbers, it could influence how certain topics, niches, and content formats move through recommendation feeds.
Instagram Is Also Testing Conversational Prompts
One of the more interesting ideas is conversational prompts for recommendation tuning. Instead of asking users to manually select topics, Instagram could let people refine their algorithm in a more natural way. Mosseri described the goal as making the algorithm feel like something users can talk to, rather than something that simply happens to them.
That is a very Meta idea right now. AI is being pushed deeper into the user experience, and algorithm control may become less about menus and more about prompts, feedback, and casual signals. Whether users actually want to “talk” to their Instagram algorithm is another question.
But Is This Real Control or Just Better Packaging?
The test gives users more options, yes. But it does not fully answer one of the biggest complaints people have had for years: many users still want a simple feed made up of posts from accounts they deliberately chose to follow.
Instagram has not made that the main experience, and the reason is not hard to guess. Algorithm-driven feeds usually keep people watching, scrolling, and engaging for longer. A purely user-controlled feed may feel cleaner, but it may not deliver the same level of retention for the platform.
That is why these new Instagram algorithm controls sit in a strange place. They give users more influence, but not full control. You can tune the machine. You do not really replace it.
Most Users May Not Touch the Settings
There is also the practical issue: most people may never use these tools. Social platforms have offered settings, privacy options, and feed preferences before, but many users still prefer to open the app and let the system figure things out while they scroll.
TikTok trained a generation of users to expect highly personalized feeds without manual effort. Instagram knows that. The company can make algorithm controls more visible, but convenience usually wins. If the feed is good enough, many users will not bother adjusting it.
Why This Still Matters for Creators and Brands
For creators, publishers, and social media marketers, the test is still worth watching. Even small changes in recommendation controls can affect how content travels across Instagram. If users get more chances to remove topics, reduce certain content types, or guide Reels recommendations, weak engagement signals may become even more punishing.
Content that feels repetitive, too sales-driven, or disconnected from audience interest could get filtered out faster. On the other side, creators with clear niches may benefit if users actively tell Instagram they want more of that type of content.
Instagram Is Trying to Rebuild Trust Around Recommendations
This test is not only about feed personalization. It is also about trust. Users have become more aware that algorithms shape what they see, what they miss, and how long they stay inside an app. Instagram’s new controls appear to be part product update, part reassurance.
The company wants users to feel less trapped by the recommendation system. But it also has no reason to weaken the algorithm too much. That tension is the whole story.
Instagram wants people to feel in control, while still keeping the machine strong enough to drive engagement. The new Your Algorithm tests may give users more ways to shape their feeds, but the platform is not handing over the steering wheel completely.