Instagram has unveiled a new feature that allows users to visually inspect and manually adjust its recommendation algorithm. Instagram announced that Your Algorithm will be first implemented in the Reels tab on December 10, 2025. The company explained that it uses artificial intelligence to summarize and adjust personalized topics of interest, based on the premise that recommendations should evolve as interests change.
The feature is activated by the two-line heart icon in the upper right corner of the screen when watching Reels. Tapping the icon opens the Your Algorithm screen, which displays a summary of topics Instagram believes users are most interested in at the top. The company explained that this summary is curated by artificial intelligence based on activity signals like viewing patterns and reactions.
Users can adjust their preferences by viewing a list of topics presented below the summary and choosing to see more or less of them. If there's an interest not listed, they can add it by typing it in. Instagram says Reels recommendations will adapt as your settings change. Users can also share their interest summary as a Story to share their preferences with their followers.
This change aligns with a trend among short-form video platforms to alleviate complaints about the lack of transparency in recommendations. TikTok has also expanded the way users can control the frequency of exposure to specific topics through a managed topic feature in the For You feed. However, Instagram emphasized that it offers more granular control by displaying a personalized topic list and allowing users to add new topics themselves.
Your Algorithm will be available in the US first and will be gradually expanded globally, starting with English. Instagram announced plans to start with Reels and expand the same controls to the Explore tab and other areas of the app in the future. The company added that it's still in its early stages and will continue to improve the user experience.
