What The Tech: How to change what Facebook shows in your algorithm
BY JAMEY TUCKER, Consumer Tech Reporter
Look at a few posts about home remodeling, and suddenly Facebook thinks you’re renovating
the entire neighborhood. Your feed fills with kitchen updates, basement makeovers, and ideas
you never asked for.
That’s Facebook’s recommendation system at work. What you watch, like, and comment on
helps determine what shows up next. Sometimes, though, Facebook gets the wrong idea.
A new feature called “Your algorithm” gives you a more direct way to tell Facebook what you
actually want to see.
How to Find “Your Algorithm”
Tap the three dots on a Facebook post and look for “Your algorithm.” There, you can review
and manage topics Facebook thinks you’re interested in, such as college football, home decor,
or travel.
Tell Facebook which topics you want more or less of. You can also add interests to help steer
recommendations toward things you care about now.
Finished remodeling? Give Facebook a hint that you’re ready to move on from kitchen cabinets.
Tell Facebook Why a Post Misses the Mark
You can also give feedback directly on individual posts by selecting “Interested” or “Not
interested.”
Facebook may ask for more detail about your choice. You can explain in your own words what
you liked or disliked, giving the system more information than a simple thumbs-up or
thumbs-down.
According to Meta, these controls help shape recommendations in both your Facebook feed
and Reels. The company says recommendations can respond in real time, even during the
same scrolling session.
What If the Option Isn’t There?
Make sure your Facebook app is updated. The feature is rolling out, so it may not have reached
your account yet.
These controls don’t erase your history or give you a completely fresh start. Facebook still learns from your activity. But they give you a more direct way to correct its assumptions.
If your feed no longer reflects your interests, tell Facebook what’s changed. You may be finished
with home remodeling, even if your feed isn’t.
Source: Meta’s announcement of “Your algorithm”
