Instagram tests "Your Algorithm" feed controls, new creator bonuses
Serge Bulaev
Recent social media updates suggest that platforms like Instagram, Meta, YouTube, LinkedIn, and Threads are testing new features to give users more control and offer more ways for creators to earn money. Instagram may let users adjust what they see in their feed and is testing new ad types and creator bonuses. Other changes include new safety features, updated payment options for advertisers, and new tools for sorting content. Most of these features are still in testing, so things might change as they are developed. Experts note that results could vary until the changes are fully rolled out.
Instagram is testing "Your Algorithm" feed controls and new creator bonuses, signaling a major industry shift toward user choice and expanded monetization. These updates, along with others from Meta, YouTube, and LinkedIn, introduce critical new settings for marketers and creators to master.
Industry analysts note the most significant experiments are emerging from Instagram and its parent company Meta, while competitors like YouTube, LinkedIn, and Threads are focused on refining their own monetization and safety protocols.
Instagram Experiments with User-Controlled Ranking
This new functionality, reportedly called "Your Algorithm," allows users to directly influence their content recommendations. By selecting topics to either prioritize or hide, individuals gain granular control over their main feed, shifting from passive consumption to a more actively curated social media experience.
According to reports, Instagram is rolling out a feature called Your Algorithm, which lets users fine-tune their feed by hiding or prioritizing topics with a few taps Instagram feed controls. The platform is also testing post-view Reels ads that appear after a Reel finishes, a format designed to improve mid-funnel conversions without interrupting the viewing flow. Other quality-of-life updates include one-tap pausing for Reels and the ability to swap audio on already-published carousels. As these features are in testing, their impact on distribution could change.
Creator Reward Programs Expand Beyond Video
Instagram's new Bonuses pilot is expanding monetization opportunities beyond Reels. According to recent social media news, eligible creators can now earn from photo and carousel posts, with payouts based on qualified impressions. Meanwhile, YouTube is enhancing its creator tools by allowing Partner Program members to organize playlists into series and expanding its Shopping affiliate program to UK creators for commission-based earnings.
Meta Tweaks Advertiser and Developer Support
Within Meta's ad stack, two key changes are underway. The company now allows advertisers to fund campaigns using USD-pegged stablecoins, potentially streamlining cross-border payments. Additionally, Meta's AI developer assistant is now the primary support channel for app partners, signaling a strategic move toward automated workflows.
Safety and Moderation Tools Tighten Across Networks
Platforms are strengthening their safety features. LinkedIn is testing a private flag for users to mark potentially AI-generated comments and is also hiding automated comments from the "most recent" view to reduce spam. On other Meta platforms, Threads is reportedly working on enhanced security features, while WhatsApp is developing AI-generated content labels for its broadcast channels.
Key Platform Changes This Week
- Instagram: User-controlled "Your Algorithm" feed, post-view Reels ads, and audio swaps on existing posts.
- YouTube: New playlist-to-series format and UK expansion of the Shopping affiliate program.
- Meta Ads: Support for stablecoin payments and an AI assistant for developer support.
- LinkedIn: Private flags for AI-generated comments and suppression of automated engagement.
- Threads & WhatsApp: Enhanced security features in development on Threads and AI labels on WhatsApp.
The wave of experiments highlights two dominant industry themes: granting users deeper control over algorithmic feeds and diversifying revenue streams for creators and platforms alike. As most of these features are in early testing phases, marketers should monitor performance metrics closely, as reach and engagement may fluctuate until the rollouts are complete.