Meta Platforms Inc. ‘s Instagram is introducing a feature that will allow certain users to reset their content recommendations, effectively refreshing the algorithm responsible for curating the posts and videos displayed on their feed.
The upcoming change, initially launched as a test but soon to be introduced worldwide, aims to empower users by providing them with greater control over the content displayed on their Instagram feed when it no longer aligns with their interests. Earlier this year, Instagram introduced new privacy settings empowering teenage users to select their preferred content themes for more personalized feed experience, including categories like books, travel, cooking, and sports. Instagram currently enables users to indicate their preferences for recommended videos, considering additional factors such as interactions like post likes or shares to tailor the content displayed to them.
Resetting the recommendation algorithm provides users with an opportunity to review the accounts they follow, in case they decide to unfollow some individuals. Meta expressed in a recent blog post its commitment to ensuring a safe and positive experience on Instagram for all users, with a special focus on teenagers. They aim to make sure that users feel that their time spent on the platform is valuable. We aim to provide teenagers with fresh opportunities to tailor their Instagram journey, allowing it to mirror their evolving passions and interests.
Meta has shifted its recommendation focus on Instagram towards entertainment content rather than news and politics, with the aim of enhancing young users’ engagement on its apps while steering clear of contentious posts. The company is increasing its suggestion of content from unfamiliar sources, or individuals not yet followed by users, in an effort to stay competitive with TikTok, owned by ByteDance Ltd.
TikTok’s algorithm, recognized for facilitating the app’s rapid growth, is famed for its knack in assisting users in going “viral” by suggesting their content to individuals who are not already part of their following. Over a billion individuals globally engage with TikTok, with a significant portion being teenagers who dedicate countless hours daily to viewing video clips. TikTok introduced a feature last year that allows users to reset their video feeds. There was also an update that displayed less potentially harmful content to teenagers, including videos about sadness, extreme dieting, and sexually suggestive topics.
