Instagram launches a feature to control Reels algorithms

In a strategic move aimed at enhancing transparency and empowering users, Instagram , owned by Meta, announced on Wednesday the launch of a new and innovative feature powered by artificial intelligence . This feature allows users to view and adjust the algorithms that control the content of short videos (Reels) to better suit their personal interests, describing this step as a significant leap forward in content moderation policies.

The "Your Algorithm" feature: How does it work?

The platform offers a feature called "Your Algorithm," easily accessible via a dedicated icon in the top right corner of the Reels interface. This tool displays a list of topics and categories that Instagram believes the user is interested in, based on their viewing and engagement history.

In an official statement, the company explained that users can now directly control the platform by specifying which topics they want to see more of or less of, with recommendations being modified and the display bar updated in real time in response to these inputs, thus ending the era of passively receiving suggested content.

Context of regulatory pressures and transparency

This move is not without precedent; it is a response to a long series of mounting pressures faced by major social media platforms. Companies like Meta and TikTok have come under intense scrutiny from regulators in the European Union and the United States, as well as consumer protection organizations.

Algorithms have long been described as opaque "black boxes," with critics accusing these systems of promoting potentially harmful or addictive content to keep users engaged in apps for as long as possible. Companies often consider these algorithms the "secret ingredient" to their success, but recent legislation, such as the Digital, Services and Technology Regulation (DST) in Europe, is beginning to impose new standards for transparency.

The importance of the event and its expected impact

This feature represents a fundamental shift in the operating philosophy of social media platforms, as power is partially transferred from machines to humans. This update is expected to have several positive effects:

• Promoting digital wellbeing: By allowing users to filter content, exposure to material that may cause anxiety or negative emotions can be reduced.
• Improving the quality of the experience: Users will be able to transform their platforms into spaces that are more relevant to their real interests and evolve over time.
• Market competition: This action may push competitors, especially TikTok, to adopt similar measures to provide higher levels of transparency in order to maintain user trust.

The company concluded its statement by emphasizing that Instagram aims to be a place to delve into interests and connect, noting that the tool has been launched in the United States, with plans to roll it out globally in English soon, and to expand its scope to include other sections within the application besides Reels.