Control Your Instagram Reels Algorithm

Control Your Instagram Reels Algorithm

Take back control of what shows up in your Reels feed with new tools that let you shape, reset, and fine-tune what Instagram recommends. With a few taps, you can steer recommendations toward what actually matters to you.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

December 13, 2025

Subscribe - Read the Newsletter Version

Have you ever wondered why your Instagram Reels feed suddenly fills up with videos you never asked for, or why one accidental like seems to haunt your feed for weeks? 

For years, the Reels algorithm felt like a black box. 

Here's a Cool Tip:  See and Control Your Reels Algorithm.

Instagram is now opening that box, giving users direct tools to understand, adjust, and even reset how Reels recommendations work.

Feature Explanation

Instagram’s new Reels algorithm controls focus on transparency and user choice. 

Instead of passively training the algorithm through likes and watches alone, users can now actively signal what they want more of and what they want less of.

These controls work by adjusting the interest signals Instagram uses to rank Reels. 

The result is faster correction and fewer repeated mistakes in your feed.

Why it matters: Reels now drive discovery on Instagram. 

Whether you are a creator, business owner, educator, or casual user, your Reels feed influences what you learn, buy, and share.

What You’ll Gain

• A Reels feed that reflects your actual interests.
• Faster removal of unwanted or repetitive content.
• More transparency into how Instagram recommendations work.
• Better alignment between your actions and your feed results.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Here's how to do it.

iPhone and Android (iOS / Android)

1. Open Instagram app and tap Reels on the lower menu.
2. Look for the icon in the top right-hand corner (two lines with hearts).
3. Tap to open Your Algorithm.
4. Review the interest labels.
5. Tap Add+ to add interests.
6. Reels will reflect your choices.
7. Tap an interest label to remove.
8. Tap the Share icon to share your interests to your Story so that friends and followers can see what you're into.

fig. 1 - Take Control of Your Instagram Reels Example

Pros and Cons

Pros

• More direct control over recommendations.
• Faster correction when the algorithm goes off track.
• Useful for brand safety and professional accounts.

Cons

• Requires active use to stay effective.
• Some settings are buried in menus.
• Rollout may vary by region and account type.

Feature Access

• Available on Instagram for iOS and Android. 
• Features are currently rolling out globally and may not appear on all accounts at once. 

Score

Criterion  |  Score (0–10)  |  Justification

Value 9

Directly improves daily content relevance with minimal effort.

Usability 8

Easy once found, though some settings are not obvious.

Wow Factor 7

Not flashy, but meaningful control users have wanted for years.

Total: 24/30 👍 Good

A practical upgrade that finally gives users leverage over the Reels algorithm.

Key Takeaways

Instagram Reels no longer have to feel random or frustrating. 

You can actively shape what appears in your feed and make the platform work for you instead of the other way around.

Cool Tip Snapshot

• Feature Name: Reels Algorithm Controls
• Platform(s): iOS, Android, Web
• Quick Benefit: Faster, more accurate content recommendations
• Access Type: Free, currently rolling out

Try It Yourself

Open Instagram today, and review Your Algorithm. 

Share what changed in your feed, then subscribe to the One Cool Tip newsletter and share this article with your team, family, and friends.

READ MORE

• Instagram Unlocks Seamless Connections with New Features
  
• Take Back Control: How to Reset Suggested Content on Instagram (and Why You Should)
  
• Instagram's New 3:4 Photo Format: No More Cropping Hassles
  

Stay Connected with One Cool Tip

👍 Like and Share: Help others discover OneCoolTip.com!

📬 Subscribe: Get the FREE OneCoolTip Newsletter delivered straight to your inbox.

💡 Support the Site: Chip in through TIPJAR to keep the Cool Tips coming.

Explore More

YouTube: One Cool Tip Channel

X (Twitter): @OneCoolTip

Threads: @onecooltip

Have a great tip or tech question?

📧 Email: onecooltip.com@gmail.com

Rodger Mansfield, a seasoned technology expert and editor of OneCoolTip.com, transforms complex tech into practical advice for everyday users. His Cool Tips empower readers to stay productive, secure, and one step ahead in the digital world.

One Cool Tip

http://www.onecooltip.com

Cool Tech Tips for a Cooler Life!

#InstagramTips #ReelsAlgorithm #SocialMediaControl @instagram 

#TechTips #OneCoolTip @onecooltip 

Copyright © 2008-2025 | www.OneCoolTip.com | All Rights Reserved

🤖 One Cool Tip AI Companion

🤖 One Cool Tip AI Companion 

Do you need tech help? 

Check out the NEW and improved One Cool Tip AI Companion, powered by ChatGPT.

It's also linked in the top-right column of www.OneCoolTip.com

Please LIKE and SHARE OneCoolTip.com!

Subscribe to the FREE OneCoolTip Newsletter.

Please Support OneCoolTip with TIPJAR!

Visit the OneCoolTip YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@onecooltip

X: https://x.com/OneCoolTip    Threads:   https://www.threads.net/@onecooltip

Do you have a Cool Tip or question? Email us at onecooltip.com@gmail.com

Rodger Mansfield, a seasoned tech expert, is the mastermind behind www.OneCoolTip.com where he serves as both writer and editor. With a keen eye for simplifying complex tech, Rodger delivers practical advice that empowers readers to navigate the digital world with confidence. Dive into www.OneCoolTip.com for a treasure trove of savvy tips and tricks that keep you one step ahead in tech.

One Cool Tip

http://www.onecooltip.com

Cool Tech Tips for a Cooler Life!

 

#OpenAI @OpenAI #ChatGPT #AI

#TechTips #OneCoolTip @OneCoolTip 

Copyright © 2008-2025 | www.OneCoolTip.com | All Rights Reserved

Cool Deals December 12, 2025 - iOttie, Anker

Cool Deals December 12, 2025

Help support One Cool Tip. Use this Amazon link when you shop online. Look at these Cool Products:

📱 iOttie Easy One Touch 5 Dashboard Mount: Keep your "Patty Blaster" navigation safely at eye level with this secure, telescopic phone mount. Save 32% $16.99 Check it out on Amazon! 🔋 Anker 52.5W Cigarette Lighter USB Charger: Charge your phone and a passenger's tablet simultaneously at high speed so you never lose your map mid-trip. Save 29% $14.24 Check it out on Amazon! 🧹 KMM Handheld Car Vacuum Cleaner: Clean up the road trip crumbs quickly with this compact, high-power vacuum. Save 22% $35.99 Check it out on Amazon!

 

Read the Cool Tip: How to Turn Your Commute into a Trip to Bikini Bottom

Prices accurate at time of publication

One Cool Tip

http://www.onecooltip.com
Cool Tech Tips for a Cooler Life!

#iOttie #Anker

#electronics #gifts #CoolDeals #OneCoolTip @OneCoolTip

Copyright © 2008-2025 | www.OneCoolTip.com | All Rights Reserved

How to Turn Your Commute into a Trip to Bikini Bottom

How to Turn Your Commute into a Trip to Bikini Bottom

Turn your daily drive into an adventure with SpongeBob guiding the way. Waze’s newest voice option brings nautical fun to your commute.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

December 12, 2025

Subscribe - Read the Newsletter Version

Traffic jams are inevitable, but boredom does not have to be. 

Here's a Cool Tip:  Commute with SpongeBob.

Waze has partnered with Nickelodeon to bring the nautical nonsense of SpongeBob SquarePants directly to your dashboard just in time for his latest cinematic adventure.

Subscribe to the One Cool Tip Newsletter

 Subscribe to the One Cool Tip Newsletter

One Cool Tip – Cool Tech Tips for a Cooler Life! 

Get daily tech tips that save you time, boost productivity, and make your digital life easier.

✅ Quick, actionable insights

✅ The latest tech tricks & hacks

✅ No spam, just smart tips!

Subscribe to the FREE One Cool Tip Newsletter!

#TechTips #OneCoolTip  @OneCoolTip

 #Newsletter #LifeHacks #Productivity #KnowledgeIsPower

#Android #AI #iOS #iPhone #Microsoft365 #Chrome #Edge #Copilot #Gemini

Copyright © 2008-2025 | www.OneCoolTip.com | All Rights Reserved

Send Messages Later on iPhone

Send Messages Later on iPhone

Scheduling a text helps you stay organized and communicate on time without setting reminders. This feature in iOS lets you write a message now and deliver it automatically at the best moment.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

November 11, 2025

Subscribe - Read the Newsletter Version

You probably have moments when a message needs perfect timing. 

Maybe you want to remind a colleague in the morning, send travel updates at a set time, or avoid texting someone late at night.

Here's a Cool Tip:  Schedule a Message in iPhone.

iPhone gives you a built-in way to plan your messages so they arrive when your recipient is most likely to see them. 

The feature is simple, reliable, and immediately useful for both work and everyday life.

🗣️ Say "Hey Copilot" - OCT Newsletter 12-10-2025

 🗣️ Say "Hey Copilot" - OCT Newsletter 12-10-2025

Enhance your digital life with our newsletter featuring 'Hey Copilot' for Windows 11! 

This hands-free feature revolutionizes multitasking, allowing you to summon help while staying focused on your tasks. 

Also, catch up on critical updates like the Petco security alert and essential Windows patches. 

Stay informed and productive! 

•  Petco Security Alert.
•  Windows 11 Critical Update.
•  Wednesday Productivity Prompt.
•  Creative Knolling Gemini Prompt.
•  "Hey Copilot".
•  Notepad AI Rewrite.
•  Edge "Copilot Mode".
•  Paint Background Removal.

Click HERE for the Newsletter

Stay Connected with One Cool Tip

👍 Like and Share: Help others discover OneCoolTip.com!

📬 Subscribe: Get the FREE OneCoolTip Newsletter delivered straight to your inbox.

💡 Support the Site: Chip in through TIPJAR to keep the Cool Tips coming.

Explore More

YouTube: One Cool Tip Channel

X (Twitter): @OneCoolTip

Threads: @onecooltip

Have a great tip or tech question?

📧 Email: onecooltip.com@gmail.com

Rodger Mansfield, a seasoned technology expert and editor of OneCoolTip.com, transforms complex tech into practical advice for everyday users. His Cool Tips empower readers to stay productive, secure, and one step ahead in the digital world.

One Cool Tip

http://www.onecooltip.com

Cool Tech Tips for a Cooler Life!

#Windows11 #TechTips #Productivity #CyberSecurity #Innovation @windows

#TechTips #OneCoolTip @onecooltip

Copyright © 2008-2025 | www.OneCoolTip.com | All Rights Reserved

“Hey Copilot” on Windows 11: Hands-Free Help That Actually Saves Time

 “Hey Copilot” on Windows 11: Hands-Free Help That Actually Saves Time

Get quick answers, launch apps, and draft content by saying “Hey Copilot.” Here’s how to turn it on and use it well.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

December 10, 2025

Subscribe - Read the Newsletter Version

Have you ever wished you could ask your PC to do something while your hands are busy? 

Here's a Cool Tip:  Enable and Use "Hey Copilot" in Windows 11.

“Hey Copilot” brings voice wake-up to Windows 11 so you can summon Copilot without clicking. 

If you’ve been waiting for a faster way to get help, this hands-free trigger is a small feature with big productivity impact.

Skip the Reading: Google Drive’s New Audio Overviews Summarize Lengthy PDFs

Skip the Reading: Google Drive’s New Audio Overviews Summarize Lengthy PDFs

Google Drive is integrating a powerful new AI feature that generates an audio summary of lengthy PDF documents. This capability allows you to absorb the core ideas of big files hands-free, turning dead reading time into productive listening.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

December 9, 2025

Subscribe - Read the Newsletter Version

Think about the last time a coworker sent you a 50-page technical report or a dense white paper. 

Did you stop what you were doing and pore over every paragraph? Probably not. 

You likely scanned the introduction, jumped to the conclusion, and skimmed a few key sections, trying to extract the crucial points before your next meeting.

We live in a world overflowing with information, and our capacity to consume documents has become a major bottleneck. 

Reading large PDFs requires focused, desk-bound attention, but what if you could understand the essence of that 50-page document while driving to work, walking the dogs, or preparing dinner for the family? 

Here's a Cool Tip:  Use the New PDF Audio Overviews in Google Drive.

Google Drive is solving this massive problem with AI-powered Audio Overviews, a feature that converts the key information in your PDFs into a concise, narrated summary you can listen to anywhere. 

This is not simple text-to-speech; it is smart, contextual summarizing delivered straight to your earbuds.

Cool Deals December 9, 2025 - Bose, Acer, Anker

Cool Deals December 9, 2025 - Bose, Acer, Anker

Help support One Cool Tip. Use this Amazon link when you shop online.

Check out these Cool Deals:

🎧 Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II: Excellent noise cancellation lets you focus entirely on the audio summary, even in a busy office or commute. Save 17% $249. Check it out on Amazon! 

💻 Acer Chromebook Plus: A fast, budget-friendly device that runs Android apps, providing an alternative way to access the Google Drive mobile features on a larger screen. Overall Pick! $389.99 Check it out on Amazon!

🔋 Anker Portable Charger 10000: Listen to multiple long summaries without worrying about your phone battery dying during a long review session. Overall Pick! $25.99 Check it out on Amazon! 

*prices accurate when originally published.

 

Read the Cool Tip: Skip the Reading: Google Drive’s New Audio Overviews Summarize Lengthy PDFs

One Cool Tip

http://www.onecooltip.com
Cool Tech Tips for a Cooler Life!

#Bose #Acer #Anker

#electronics #gifts #CoolDeals #OneCoolTip @OneCoolTip

Copyright © 2008-2025 | www.OneCoolTip.com | All Rights Reserved

🖼️ Word’s AI Alt Text Tool Saves You Hours - OCT Newsletter 12-8-2025

🖼️ Word’s AI Alt Text Tool Saves You Hours - OCT Newsletter 12-8-2025

Welcome to the One Cool Tip Newsletter! 

In this issue, we tackle pressing topics like the alarming rise of fake "proof-of-life" kidnapping scams and introduce you to the new Automatic Alt Text feature in Microsoft Word. 

Stay informed about the latest Microsoft 365 updates that will enhance your productivity and security. Learn how to improve accessibility in your documents effortlessly. 

🚨 Fake “Proof-of-Life” Kidnapping Scams.

📰 Microsoft 365 Update: New Capabilities + Pricing Change.

🚀 AI Prompt: Weekly Planner.

💡 AI Word Cloud Prompt.

🖼️ Add Automatic Alt Text to Microsoft Word Images.

👀 Document Mode in Microsoft Word.

🤔 Boost Your Writing Efficiency.

🙋‍♂️ Accessibility Checker.

Don't miss out on these essential tips to streamline your digital life! 

Click HERE for the Newsletter

Stay Connected with One Cool Tip

👍 Like and Share: Help others discover OneCoolTip.com!

📬 Subscribe: Get the FREE OneCoolTip Newsletter delivered straight to your inbox.

💡 Support the Site: Chip in through TIPJAR to keep the Cool Tips coming.

Explore More

YouTube: One Cool Tip Channel

X (Twitter): @OneCoolTip

Threads: @onecooltip

Have a great tip or tech question?

📧 Email: onecooltip.com@gmail.com

Rodger Mansfield, a seasoned technology expert and editor of OneCoolTip.com, transforms complex tech into practical advice for everyday users. His Cool Tips empower readers to stay productive, secure, and one step ahead in the digital world.

One Cool Tip

http://www.onecooltip.com

Cool Tech Tips for a Cooler Life!

#Accessibility #Microsoft365 #CyberSecurity #Productivity 

#TechTips #OneCoolTip @onecooltip

Copyright © 2008-2025 | www.OneCoolTip.com | All Rights Reserved

How to Add Automatic Alt Text to Microsoft Word Images

How to Add Automatic Alt Text to Microsoft Word Images

Adding images to a Word document is easy, but making them accessible is just as important. Microsoft Word’s Automatic Alt Text feature instantly generates descriptions for your pictures, helping business and home users save time while ensuring inclusivity.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor 

December 8, 2025

Subscribe - Read the Newsletter Version

Ever dropped an image into a Word document and wondered how someone using a screen reader would interpret it? 

Accessibility is not just a compliance checkbox, it’s a way to make your work usable by everyone. 

Here's a Cool Tip:  Use Word's Automatic Alt Text feature.

Microsoft Word’s Automatic Alt Text feature takes the guesswork out of writing descriptions, offering instant suggestions that you can refine.