Facebook’s New Feed Controls Let Users Describe What They Want to See

Facebook is introducing a more direct way for users to influence recommendations: describing their interests in their own words instead of relying entirely on what the platform infers from clicks and watch time.

In its October 13 announcement, Meta says the “Your algorithm” controls will allow people to add and manage topics in Feed and Reels. The company is also expanding feedback attached to the Interested and Not interested options, including follow-up questions about why a post did or did not appeal.

Meta describes the tools as a rollout, so an announcement should not be read as proof that every account already has the same interface. Users can check the three-dot menu on a post for the controls available to them.

Make a preference specific enough to be useful

For someone whose feed has drifted away from their interests, the change suggests a practical experiment: describe the subject and the kind of treatment you want. “Nigerian football analysis” is more informative than a general request for better content. A preference for cooking demonstrations is different from a preference for restaurant promotions.

It is also worth observing what happens over several sessions rather than judging the entire feature by one recommendation. A feed is assembled from many signals, and a single unwanted post does not necessarily explain which part of the system produced it.

For publishers and creators, the announcement is another reason to make a post’s subject clear. A descriptive headline, accurate caption and a video that delivers on its opening promise help an audience understand what it is choosing to spend time on.

Trying to attract every possible viewer can make that relationship less useful. A narrowly useful explanation may serve the intended audience better than a vague hook that brings in people who immediately leave.

The new controls also deserve a distinction from privacy settings. Expressing a content preference is not the same action as reviewing who can see your profile, what information you have shared or which apps have account access. Those remain separate checks.

Meta says the aim is a more responsive recommendation experience. The practical test for users will be whether they can express a preference clearly, see a useful change and revise it when their interests move on.