Observed Signal · May 26, 2026 · Feature Launch · Source: onlinemarketing.de · Impact: 4/5 · Sentiment: Positive
Instagram adds profile interests affecting Reels and Ads
Instagram is testing a feature that lets some users and creators add explicit interests to their profile via a button. Those interests feed into Instagram's recommendation system—referred to as "Your Algorithm"—and influence what appears in Reels, the Explore page and ad targeting. The ability was reported by several creators on Threads and mirrors an existing Threads profile-interest feature. OnlineMarketing.de notes the option is currently limited to early users and creators, may roll out more widely soon, and could disclose additional topical information about creators to third parties. The article was published on 2026-05-26.
A major social platform (Instagram) is introducing profile-level interest signals that feed recommendations and ad delivery; this affects audience signals inside a walled garden and has implications for targeting, measurement and creator privacy.
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Key Takeaways & Evidence Grounding
- Instagram is testing a profile button that allows some users to add interests directly in their profile.
- Those profile interests correlate with the 'Your Algorithm' feature and influence Reels, the Explore page and ads delivery.
- Creators and users reported the option publicly on Threads (reports from Sarah Roizman, Radu Oncescu and others).
- Threads already supports visible profile interests; Instagram's feature appears similar and may roll out more broadly.
- Article published by OnlineMarketing.de on 2026-05-26.
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Instagram tests Your Algorithm: user control
Instagram is testing a US-only feature called Your Algorithm that lets users see which Reels the algorithm deems relevant and actively influence what they see. The feature presents an overview of the user’s interests, showing topics Instagram assigns to their profile and allowing users to add or reduce topics, even sharing their personal interests profile in Stories. Instagram describes it as a new way to see and control your algorithm, with Meta’s Chris Cox calling the rollout a step toward a more controllable Instagram experience. The test starts in the United States and will roll out gradually to all English-speaking users; there is no confirmed timeline for German-speaking users. The update is described as expanding beyond Reels to potentially Explore Feed and other surfaces in the future. Separately, Meta announced Edits updates to templates, storyboards, and remix features to aid reel creation.
Instagram Expands Your Algo Worldwide for Reels
Instagram is expanding its Your Algo feature to control the Reels feed worldwide, enabling users to influence what content appears. For 2026, users can specify up to three core interests that guide the Reels they see. The feature was first introduced in December 2025 in the United States and is now rolling out globally, initially in English in many countries. The expansion is framed within a broader push toward authentic, human-centered content as AI-assisted production grows. Public demonstrations, such as a video from musician A$AP Rocky, illustrate how the controls operate. Users access the function via a switch icon in the Reels screen, allowing adjustments to topics of interest. The rollout follows other Reels and platform updates aimed at personalizing the Instagram experience while emphasizing creator trust and engagement.
Instagram Tests Profile Interest Tags
Instagram is testing a feature to display interest-based tags on user profiles, potentially revealing account focus to visitors. The test builds on an earlier discovery by app researcher Alessandro Paluzzi in 2022, with proposed tag categories such as Sport, Music, Gaming, Books, and Pop Culture. If rolled out, these profile tags would signal what a creator or brand stands for and what content followers can expect, aiding audience targeting and improving content classification and Explore feed recommendations. The rollout timeline for all users remains unclear. The piece also notes that Meta’s Threads is experimenting with more explicit topic cues, including Topic Spaces, labels, and badges to show account alignment and active communities. The article situates this within broader Meta experiments, including a potential standalone Quicksnap app and post-sorting enhancements for Carousel posts.
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