Instagram Will Soon Let You 'Rest The Feed' For Better Videos: Why It Matters

Last Updated:November 25, 2024, 12:26 IST

Instagram feed is the biggest source of your content and it shows what you like based on the tech of the platform.

Instagram videos will become more relevant with this tool

Instagram is testing a feature that allows users to reset their content recommendations. This would effectively restart the algorithm that determines the posts and videos displayed in their feeds. Currently in the testing phase, the feature aims to roll out globally, giving users more control over their feed, especially if the content no longer aligns with their preferences.

Instagram declared new privacy settings earlier this year that allow teenagers to select the subjects they would like to view more frequently, such as sports, food, travel, and reading. To choose what to display users, Instagram currently lets users indicate if they are interested in videos that are suggested to them. It also considers other indications, such as whether a user likes or shares a post.

If users want to unfollow someone, they can check the accounts they follow after the recommendation system is reset. “We want to make sure everyone on Instagram — especially teens — has safe, positive, age-appropriate experiences and feels the time they're spending on Instagram is valuable," Meta wrote on November 19 in a blog post. “We want to give teens new ways to shape their Instagram experience, so it can continue to reflect their passions and interests as they evolve," the blog post added.

In an attempt to boost the amount of time that young people spend on its apps and steer clear of content that is confrontational, Meta has been suggesting more entertainment-related content on Instagram, shifting away from news and politics, as per reports. Additionally, as it attempts to compete with TikTok, which is owned by ByteDance Ltd., the company has started suggesting more content from strangers, or users who do not currently follow them.

The algorithm used by TikTok, which is credited with the app’s rapid growth, is well-known for its ability to assist users in making their video “viral" by suggesting it to users who aren’t already followers. TikTok is used by over a billion people globally, many of whom are teens.

Along with a change that showed teens less potentially harmful content, like videos about severe dieting, melancholy, or sexually suggestive topics, TikTok also added a tool last year that allowed users to reset their video feeds.

How To Reset Instagram Feed

– Open Instagram and go to your profile

– Tap the three-dash menu in the top-right corner for Settings

– Scroll down and click on Content Preferences

– Tap on Reset Suggested Content

– Read through the terms of reset before accepting it

– Tap the Reset button

Delhi, India

News tech Instagram Will Soon Let You 'Rest The Feed' For Better Videos: Why It Matters