Instagram✴ announced testing of the recommendation system reset feature. The innovation is intended for those who are tired of old recommendations and want to start over with a clean slate, allowing the algorithm to re-learn preferences and generate different content for display.
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According to TechCrunch, the new feature is intended for users who feel that content recommendations no longer match their interests. For example, someone may have previously liked cooking videos, but then their interests changed, but the algorithm continues to recommend this content in Reels and the Interesting feed.
After Instagram✴ resets recommendations, content personalization will begin to form anew based on interaction with posts and accounts. Also, during the reset, the option to view the list of accounts to which the user is subscribed will be offered in order to unfollow bloggers whose content is no longer interesting. Notably, the innovation is similar to a feature TikTok launched last year that allowed users to reset their “For You” recommendation feed.
The head of Instagram✴, Adam Mosseri, noted in his video message that the new feature should not be used too often, since it is intended only for cases where a truly complete update is required. “I want to be clear about this serious step,” Mosseri said. – At first, your Instagram✴ will become quite uninteresting because we will treat you as if we know nothing about your interests, and it will take us some time to study them again. So I don’t recommend doing this all the time, but if you find yourself in a situation where you really want to start over, it will give you a real way out.”
It’s worth noting that the new feature complements Instagram’s existing tools✴, which allow you to track and edit personal recommendations, select “Interesting” or “Not Interested” in posts to “inform” the algorithm about your preferences, and hide content with certain words or phrases using the Hidden Words feature.
According to the company, the feature will be rolled out worldwide in the near future.