Instagram’s “Your Algorithm”: Guide for Creators

Instagram has officially rolled out the “Your Algorithm” feature to all English-speaking users. Now, eligible users can customize the content they see and tell Instagram what they’re interested in across both Reels and Explore. 

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 that’s been happening over the past few months; and how to make it work for you. 

What is “Your Algorithm” on Instagram?

It’s a new feature that allows you to fine-tune your algorithm, meaning you can choose topics you want to see more (or less) of. If you’re tired of the app repeatedly serving content that no longer matches your interests, “Your Algorithm” gives you a more direct way to shape what appears in your Reels feed; and now, in Explore too.

Instagram first tested the option in Reels, and it’s now expanding to all English-language users. The key change is that topic preferences can now influence both Reels and Explore, since Instagram says changes made in one surface carry across the other.

How to See “Your Algorithm” on Instagram? 

Just follow these simple steps: 

1. Head over to your Reels 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. 

On Explore, users can also adjust interests more directly from the topic pills at the top of the page, which gives them another easy access point to refine what Instagram recommends.

According to Mosseri, Head of Instagram, users can choose 3 top interests to shape their feed in 2026 by tapping “Build your algorithm” at the bottom of the screen.

What Do Customizable Feeds Mean for Creators?  

Whether this becomes a widely used feature or not, it signals a shift:

• Relevance matters more than ever
• Users now have more say in what appears on their feed

For creators, the key is knowing your audience inside and out — their needs, struggles, and specific interests — and keeping those front and center when creating your next piece of content. 

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

How It Affects Your Reach 

When users can tell Instagram which topics interest them most, the algorithm gets a much clearer picture of what Reels to recommend. That changes how your Reels compete.

• 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.

When someone adjusts their preferences to see more videos about a specific topic, Instagram will tend to show them Reels that align with that interest. That’s why the less defined your content theme is, the harder it becomes for Instagram to recommend it to the right people.

How to Adapt Your Reels Strategy to This Shift

Now that users have more control over what they want to see, it makes sense to adjust your content strategy.

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 throughline tends to confuse both the algorithm and your audience.
4. And finally, analyze and adjust. If the algorithm increasingly factors in user interests, pay attention to which topics resonate best to guide what you publish; and what you don’t.

Why Analyzing Your Reels Matters More Than Ever

Now that “Your Algorithm” is part of the game, analyzing your results is essential to avoid publishing blindly and understand how your Reels are performing.

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 Reels’ performance. That’s where Metricool comes in: the Instagram analytics tool that helps you analyze your content performance and make decisions based on data, not guesswork.

Instagram is giving users more power to decide what they want to see, with features like “Your Algorithm.” While it doesn’t let you control Instagram’s algorithm 100%, it does represent a real step toward a more customizable experience, starting with Reels and now expanding to Explore.