Instagram is testing new ways for users to customize their content feeds, prioritizing the “Your Algorithm” tool to give individuals more control over what they see. Head of Instagram Adam Mosseri announced the company is exploring gestures such as pull-down menus and swipe-up prompts to make algorithmic adjustments a core part of the user experience, though he noted some features remain in the experimental phase.
How Instagram plans to change feed controls
Instagram aims to transition the “Your Algorithm” feature from a secondary settings menu to a central component of the app interface, according to a post by Adam Mosseri. The company is testing three primary methods for users to influence their content recommendations: a pull-down menu triggered by dragging the feed, a customization prompt triggered by swiping up on a Reel, and direct buttons beneath Reels that allow users to signal their preference for similar content.
These tests follow the initial launch of the tool last year. While the feature previously required users to navigate deep into settings, these new implementations intend to bring content tuning directly into the primary viewing loop.
Instagram’s “Your Algorithm” tool allows users to explicitly tell the app which topics they want to see more of or less of, rather than relying solely on passive engagement signals like likes or watch time.
User demand vs. algorithmic delivery
There is a noticeable gap between Instagram’s proposed customization tools and the primary request from its user base. While Mosseri’s updates focus on granular tuning of content topics, the most popular comments on his announcement indicate a strong desire for a chronological feed prioritizing people users follow.
Users have consistently expressed frustration with the current algorithmic prioritization of suggested content over posts from friends and family. A commenter on Mosseri’s post summarized this sentiment by stating, “WE JUST WANT OUR ALGORITHM TO SHOW THE PPL WE FOLLOW.” This highlights a fundamental tension: Instagram views algorithmic discovery as a key feature for growth, while a significant segment of the user base views it as an obstruction to their social connections.
What happens if the tests fail
Not every feature currently in testing will reach the final build, according to Mosseri. He explicitly stated that “some is coming soon, some might not work.” This experimental approach reflects Instagram’s broader strategy of iterative development, where the company releases features to small segments to gauge engagement before a full rollout.
If these specific UI changes—such as the pull-down menu—fail to increase user satisfaction or retention, they will likely be scrapped in favor of alternative designs. The company’s focus remains on keeping users within the app for longer periods, which currently relies heavily on the effectiveness of its recommendation engine.
Frequently asked questions
What is the “Your Algorithm” feature?
It is an Instagram tool that allows users to manually specify which topics they want to see more or less of in their feed and Reels, rather than letting the app guess based on behavior alone.
Can I turn off the Instagram algorithm entirely?
Currently, no. Instagram does not offer a permanent “off” switch for its recommendation algorithm, though users can toggle between different feed views like “Following” and “Favorites” to see posts from specific accounts.
Why is Instagram adding these controls now?
According to Mosseri, the company wants to make content control a central part of the experience, likely to address user fatigue and improve the relevance of recommended content.
If you want to see more content from specific friends, add them to your “Favorites” list. This ensures their posts appear higher in your feed regardless of broader algorithmic trends.
Have you used the “Your Algorithm” tool to customize your feed? Share your experience in the comments below or subscribe to our newsletter for the latest updates on social media platform changes.
