Instagram's algorithm customization feature, "Your Algorithm," is getting a major overhaul as the company tests new ways to surface user preferences and control their content feed. In a recent post on Instagram, head Adam Mosseri previewed prototypes that bring the Your Algorithm menu directly into the main feed, allowing users to adjust their topic preferences without navigating through settings menus.

The move is part of Instagram's effort to give users more agency over their experience on the platform, as outlined in a lengthy post by Mosseri. The company has been expanding its algorithm personalization features since January 2026, when it first introduced them for Reels and later extended them to Explore and the main feed.

What Happened

Mosseri's recent post showcased three new prototypes for accessing Your Algorithm: a pull-down gesture in the main feed that brings up the menu, a swipe-up prompt on individual Reels, and buttons beneath each Reel to indicate whether users want to see more or fewer like it. The most popular comments on Mosseri's post echoed user frustration with the current algorithmic system, with one user succinctly stating, "WE JUST WANT OUR ALGORITHM TO SHOW THE PPL WE FOLLOW."

The prototypes aim to address this concern by surfacing Your Algorithm directly in the content feed, allowing users to fine-tune their topic preferences without interrupting their scroll. The per-Reel buttons are a particularly granular option, enabling real-time feedback on individual pieces of content.

Background and Context

Your Algorithm was first introduced by Instagram in December 2025 for Reels, allowing users to specify which topics they want to see more or less of. The feature has since been expanded to Explore and the main feed, with the company planning to bring it to other areas of the app soon.

Instagram's algorithm personalization features have been met with both praise and criticism from users. While some appreciate the ability to customize their content feed, others feel that the system still prioritizes interest-based topics over accounts they actually follow. Mosseri acknowledged this frustration in his post, noting that "who you follow used to be a meaningful tool people had for shaping their own experience, and as recommendations took over the main feed that tool quietly stopped working."

Why It Matters

The Instagram algorithm customization feature has significant implications for the adult industry, where content creators rely on platforms like Instagram to reach their audiences. By giving users more control over their content feed, Instagram is essentially allowing them to dictate what types of content they want to see – a crucial aspect of user experience in the adult space.

The move also highlights the ongoing tension between discovery and curation on social media platforms. As Mosseri noted, "leaning into content from accounts you do not follow became an inevitability as the industry accepted that personal moments were moving to stories and DMs for good." This shift has led to a decrease in user engagement with creator content, which is particularly concerning for adult-industry creators who rely on platforms like Instagram to connect with their audiences.

What Comes Next

Mosseri's post emphasized that the new prototypes are still in testing and may not work as intended. However, if successful, they could mark a significant shift in how users interact with Instagram's algorithmic system. The company is actively working on supporting requests for more personalized content, including different moods or vibes, content types, and more.

Key Facts

  • Instagram's "Your Algorithm" feature allows users to customize their topic preferences and control their content feed.
  • The company is testing new prototypes that bring the Your Algorithm menu directly into the main feed.
  • The per-Reel buttons are a particularly granular option, enabling real-time feedback on individual pieces of content.
  • Instagram's algorithm personalization features have been met with both praise and criticism from users.
  • Mosseri acknowledged user frustration with the current algorithmic system, noting that "who you follow used to be a meaningful tool people had for shaping their own experience."