Introduction
Instagram has spent the past several months giving users direct control over what the algorithm shows them. That is a genuinely different discovery model than brands are used to planning around.
What about your algorithm now covers reels, explore, and the main feed?
Instagram's Your Algorithm feature started as a Reels-only test, then expanded to Explore, and now covers the main feed too. Users can see which topics Instagram thinks they're interested in and directly adjust that list, telling the system to show more or less of a given topic.
Your Algorithm now covers Reels, Explore, and the main feed
Instagram's Your Algorithm feature started as a Reels-only test, then expanded to Explore, and now covers the main feed too. Users can see which topics Instagram thinks they're interested in and directly adjust that list, telling the system to show more or less of a given topic.
- This means a user can now actively opt out of your content category even if your posts are performing well, category relevance matters more than raw engagement quality alone
What about instagram chief confirmed ai access is moving toward paid?
In a recent Q&A, Instagram's Chief said AI models are expensive to run, which is pushing the company toward a clearer subscription model for in-app AI tools rather than free access for everyone. An Instagram Plus subscription already exists, though it doesn't yet include the newer AI features specifically.
Instagram Chief confirmed AI access is moving toward paid
In a recent Q&A, Instagram's Chief said AI models are expensive to run, which is pushing the company toward a clearer subscription model for in-app AI tools rather than free access for everyone. An Instagram Plus subscription already exists, though it doesn't yet include the newer AI features specifically.
- Don't assume free AI content tools on Instagram will stay free indefinitely, budget for the possibility that your team's favorite AI feature becomes a paid add-on
What about smaller updates worth knowing about?
Instagram also improved its Insights dashboard with clearer, more accessible metrics directly from the home screen, added profile grid rearranging so accounts can control the order content appears in, and expanded availability to Samsung Smart TVs, worth noting given how much of Instagram's growth is now coming from Reels watched on larger screens.
Smaller updates worth knowing about
Instagram also improved its Insights dashboard with clearer, more accessible metrics directly from the home screen, added profile grid rearranging so accounts can control the order content appears in, and expanded availability to Samsung Smart TVs, worth noting given how much of Instagram's growth is now coming from Reels watched on larger screens.
Key takeaway
The throughline across all of this is that Instagram is handing more control to the end user, over both what they see and what they pay for. Brands that track which topics their audience is actively filtering for or against will have a real advantage over ones only watching likes and follower counts.