Instagram Is Testing 3 New Feed Order Options – Here's What Each Means

The push and pull between some Instagram users preferring the app’s current algorithm feed and others preferring Instagram’s old chronological feed gets stronger by the day. But now, Instagram is testing new feed options that might just satisfy everyone, at least for a little while. In a Jan. 5 video, Instagram CEO Adam Mosseri announced the app would begin testing three new Instagram feed options for select users, giving them the ability to choose which type of Instagram feed they prefer to see when they visit Instagram’s home page.

“I thought I’d kick off this year with an overview of how we’re going to give you more control over your Instagram experience,” said Mosseri in the video. “It’s important to me that people feel good about the time they spend in the app. And I think giving people ways to shape Instagram into what’s best for them is one of the best ways to pursue that goal.”

Instagram’s New Feed Options – Home, Favourites, and Following – Explained

The three new Instagram feed options – titled “Home,” “Favourites,” and “Following” – will allow users to toggle between the algorithm-based feed they’re used to and variations of a chronological Instagram feed. Mosseri said the “Home” feed option would deliver “the Instagram experience you know today,” with an algorithm that delivers a ranking of content Instagram thinks you’ll be interested in given your habits on the app, and that this feed would feature “more and more recommendations over time” (presumably from new accounts to follow or advertisements). On the other hand, the “Favourites” feed option allows users to curate a smaller list of accounts whose content and updates they don’t want to miss. Finally, there’s the “Following” feed option, which gives you a no-nonsense chronological Instagram feed.

How to Change Your Instagram Feed to Home, Favourites, or Following

If you’re one of the lucky few to have access to this new feature in testing, it appears changing between the Instagram feed options is pretty straightforward. Judging from the images shown in Mosseri’s video, you should be able to simply tap on the “Home” text in the top-left corner of your home page, and choose your feed preference from a drop-down menu. It looks like, from there, you can also manage the list of accounts in your Favourites feed. Granted, this isn’t a formal Instagram update just yet, although Mosseri says Instagram hopes to “launch the full experience in the first half of this year.”

Why Can’t I Change My Instagram Feed to One of the New Options?

As of Jan. 6, Instagram’s new feed options are still in the testing phase, meaning the new options have only been rolled out to select users. So, don’t fret if you can’t see the option to change your Instagram feed just yet. If, however, you don’t see the option to toggle between Home, Favourites, and Following once Instagram formally rolls out the feature to everyone, start by quitting the app and restarting it or logging out of your account and logging back in. If you still don’t see the new feature, check that your Instagram app has been updated to the latest version within your phone’s app store. If all else fails, you can always reach out to Instagram’s help centre for further support.