For years, social media giants controlled what users saw in their feeds through opaque recommendation algorithms. Now, platforms like Threads, Instagram, and TikTok are handing over some of that power by introducing tools that let people personalize their algorithms with the help of AI. Beyond the traditional 'Not Interested' button, apps are now offering features that allow users to train their own algorithm and actively influence what appears in their feed.
This shift reflects an evolution from a one-size-fits-all TV channel model to something more like a streaming service, where users can tune recommendations to their interests and have greater control. For users, the benefit is a tailored feed; for companies, it is a way to boost engagement by showing content people are most likely to consume.
Threads Launches 'Your Algo'
On June 16, 2026, Threads introduced a new 'Your Algo' feature building on the 'Dear Algo' tool from February. With 'Dear Algo', users could influence their feed by publishing a public post like 'Dear Algo, show me more posts about podcasts'. Now, with 'Your Algo', preferences can be set privately without posting. Users can request to see more or less of certain topics and choose the duration: one, three, or seven days. For example, you could ask to see more baseball content and less stressful news.
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Instagram's 'Your Algorithm'
In early June, Instagram launched a tool that lets you see and control the algorithm across your feed. Called 'Your Algorithm', it shows the topics shaping your recommendations and allows customization. Initially available for Reels in December 2025, it now covers the main feed, Explore, and Reels. Accessed through settings, users see the topics Instagram thinks they care about most and can tell the app what they want to see more or less of. Instagram head Adam Mosseri noted that ranking models have historically been opaque, but large language models (LLMs) now make recommendation systems more understandable by explaining why content is displayed and allowing explicit preference communication.
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TikTok's 'Manage Topics' and Smart Filters
TikTok introduced 'Manage Topics' in 2024 for the 'For You' feed. It features a slider to adjust how much content on sports, travel, humor, current affairs, dance, and food you want to see. Tapping the info icon next to a topic reveals included video types: for instance, 'Creative arts' covers painting, drawing, graphic design, and art tutorials. In 2025, TikTok expanded the tool with AI-powered Smart Keyword Filters that automatically limit content containing related keywords and synonyms. If you filter 'remodeling', the system also filters 'renovation' and 'renovations'.
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This trend toward user-controlled algorithms marks a significant shift in social media. It is not just about improving experience but redefining the platform-user relationship. To dive deeper into how social platforms evolve, check our article on Apple Launches Summer Accessory Line or read the Wikipedia entry on algorithms. For insights on the technical infrastructure behind these systems, see our Pillar Guide to Nginx and Web Server Configuration.
Source: https://techcrunch.com/2026/06/17/social-medias-next-evolution-user-controlled-algorithms
