Instagram Tests Putting Algorithm Controls Front and Center in Your Feed

Instagram is experimenting with new ways to give you more direct influence over your feed, moving its "Your Algorithm" feature from a hidden setting and putting it right in the middle of your feed. The tests, revealed by Instagram head Adam Mosseri, are designed to make content customization more intuitive and accessible.

The company is exploring several new integrations. One test lets users pull down on their main feed to reveal the "Your Algorithm" menu, where they can specify topics to see more or less of. Another experiment shows a similar prompt appearing when a user swipes up from a Reel, while a third concept places buttons directly beneath each Reel for immediate feedback.

"We want to evolve Your Algorithm from a setting to something that feels central to your experience on Instagram," Mosseri stated, highlighting the shift in strategy. He cautioned that these are just experiments, noting, "Some of this is testing now, some is coming soon, some might not work."

Why This Matters: A Push for Greater Control

User Feedback Highlights a Core Demand

Despite the new tests, immediate user feedback on Mosseri's announcement points to a persistent and popular request: a return to a feed that prioritizes followed accounts.

One user's comment captured the sentiment: “WE JUST WANT OUR ALGORITHM TO SHOW THE PPL WE FOLLOW.”

This highlights a potential disconnect between the granular controls Instagram is developing and the fundamental desire for a simpler, follower-centric experience. While the new tests offer more ways to tune recommendations, they don't directly address the call to de-emphasize algorithmic suggestions in favor of a user's chosen network.