Instagram’s “Your Algorithm”: Guide for Creators

Instagram’s “Your Algorithm” feature, which lets you influence the type of content displayed in your feed, has been rolling out in stages. First it was tested for Reels in October last year, then expanded to Explore in spring, and now extended to the main feed as of June 2026. Is algorithmic freedom back in our Instagram feeds, or is this just fantasy? 🎵 

Let’s see what creators need to know about this bohemian rhapsody of algorithmic changes; and how to make it your ally.

What is “Your Algorithm” on Instagram?

It’s a feature that lets you fine-tune your algorithm, meaning you can choose topics you want to see more (or less) of while scrolling. If you’re tired of the app constantly suggesting content that’s just not your cup of tea, “Your Algorithm” makes it possible to shape what appears in your Reels, Explore feed, and as of now, also in your main feed. 

Any changes made in one surface carry across the others, so adjusting your preferences in Reels will also influence what you see in Explore and your main feed. The key change is that topic preferences can now influence your entire Instagram experience, not just one part of it.

How to See “Your Algorithm” on Instagram? 

Accessing it is straightforward, here’s how:

1. Head over to your Reels feed or Explore page, or main feed. 
2. On the top right, you’ll see a slider icon with two hearts. 
3. Tap it and you’ll land on a panel where your most recent interests are briefly summarized. 
4. Choose the topics you want to see more of (Instagram will suggest topics) or add topics you want to deprioritize.

The topic list is initially populated by Instagram based on your in-app activity, and any changes you make help the system revise the algorithmic parameters assigned to your account. 

On Explore, you can also adjust interests more directly from the topic pills at the top of the page – another quick way to refine what Instagram shows you.

According to Mosseri, Head of Instagram, users can choose 3 top interests to shape their feed by tapping “Build your algorithm” at the bottom of the screen.

Why Instagram Is Making This Shift

By expanding “Your Algorithm” to the main feed, Instagram is essentially acknowledging that AI-driven feeds have come at a cost, and Mosseri has been unusually direct about it in his post: as recommendations took over, users quietly lost ownership of their own experience. 

As he put it:

“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. The conversation with the system became one-sided. The system learns from what you tap, watch, and share, but you don’t really get to tell it what you want.” 

“Your Algorithm” is Instagram’s attempt to fix that. 

He’s also given a glimpse of where things are heading: AI won’t just help customize your feed, but it could eventually reshape the entire app experience in real time, making Instagram look and feel different for every single user. 

For creators, the practical takeaway is the same regardless of how far this goes: the more clearly defined your content niche, the easier it is for Instagram – whether algorithm or AI – to put your content in front of the right people.

Want to know what else is shaping Instagram in 2026? Get a free copy of Metricool’s 2026 Instagram Study: 

What Do Customizable Feeds Mean for Creators?  

Whether this becomes a widely used feature or not, it’s a shift worth paying attention to. Here are some things to keep in mind when creating your next piece of content: 

• Users now have more say in what appears on their feeds.
• Relevance matters more than ever.
• Reels with a clear theme are more likely to match those interests.
• Profiles that mix too many different topics may lose momentum.
• Maintaining a strong throughline helps both the algorithm and your audience understand what your content is about.

For creators, the key is knowing your audience inside and out (their needs, struggles, and specific interests) and keeping those front and center in every content you create. 

⚠️Pro tip: You don’t have to go viral to grow. Stay focused on creating value for your specific audience.

How to Adapt Your Reels Strategy to This Shift

Here’s how to adjust your content strategy to stay visible:

1. Start by defining your core topics: The easier it is to understand what your content is about, the better chance it has of matching user interests.
2. Double down on what’s already working: Review which types of Reels are getting the best results and repeat those formats instead of experimenting randomly.
3. Keep your profile focused: Mixing too many themes without a clear storyline tends to confuse both the algorithm and your audience.
4. Analyze and adjust: As the algorithm leans more heavily on user interests, keep a close eye on which topics resonate best and use that to guide both what you publish and what you leave out.

Why Analyzing Your Reels Matters More Than Ever

Knowing what to post and how it’s performing go hand in hand. Now that “Your Algorithm” is part of the game, analyzing your results is essential both to avoid publishing blindly and to understand what’s actually resonating. 

Analyzing your Reels helps you to:

• Discover which topics generate the most views
• Identify which Reels resonate best with your audience
• Spot patterns and adjust your content accordingly

And to make that possible, you need clear data on your content’s performance. That’s where Metricool comes in: the Instagram analytics tool helps you make data-based decisions, so your next move is never based on just gut feeling. 

Instagram is giving users more power to decide what they want to see, now across Reels, Explore, and the main feed. While it doesn’t let you control Instagram’s algorithm 100%, it does represent a real step toward a more customizable experience. For creators, that means one thing above all: know your niche, stay consistent, and let your data guide you.