Instagram’s New Update to Give Users More Control Over Content Recommendations
Instagram has started testing a new feature that will allow users to reset content that others recommend to them. The Verge reported that with Instagram’s new update, users will be able to clear algorithmic content that appears on Reels, Explore, and Feeds.
Meta platform, which owns Instagram, announced that the reset feature will be rolled out globally soon.
Accessibility of Reset Feature
Meta says that Instagram’s recommendations feature will be accessible to all users, irrespective of age. This includes Teen Account holders. Instagram introduced the Teen Accounts in September 2024 to reassure parents and guardians that the social media platform has in-built protection features that automatically give teens safe experiences.
“We want to make sure everyone on Instagram, especially teens, has safe, positive, age-appropriate experiences and feels the time they’re spending on Instagram is valuable. We want to give teens new ways to shape their Instagram experience, so it can continue to reflect their passions and interests as they evolve,” Meta said.
Meta has partnered with organization experts to develop tips that can help parents and teens to organize Instagram accounts and take stock of what they view to see whether it suits them.
User Control
By introducing the new Instagram reset feature, Meta will be giving users more control over their accounts. The feature allows users to remove recommendations across different sections. They could also review and make changes to their ‘following’ lists by simply unfollowing accounts.
“Your recommendations will start to personalize again over time, showing new content based on the content and accounts you interact with,” the social media platform said in a blog.
Meta’s update comes amidst rising criticism from safety advocates who claim Instagram affects teens negatively. At the moment, Instagram users have partial influence on their recommendations through a widget that labels content as interested or not interested. Early this year, the platform stopped giving users political content recommendations.
The Instagram algorithm update is very similar to an already existing feature on TikTok.
A Welcome Move
The Instagram new algorithm has been received well by safety regulators like Ofcom. The changes come ahead of enforcement of new safety duties that are to be imposed on social media platforms as soon as the Online Safety Act takes effect.
“It’s good to see Instagram bringing these changes in before regulation starts to bite, and we’ll be pressing for companies to do more to protect and empower their users. When the UK’s online safety laws are fully in force, the largest sites and apps will have to give people more control over what they see,” an Ofcom spokesperson said.
Andy Burrows, the CEO of suicide prevention organization at the Molly Rose Foundation noted that some young people feel trapped by the harmful content that social media algorithms recommend. He commended Meta for giving users more control over the content they consume.
