Initially, algorithms enhancing social media feeds on platforms like TikTok and Instagram seemed appealing. They made content consumption more engaging than a traditional chronological approach. However, as time went on, users found the algorithm’s tendency to display less desirable content exhausting. Fortunately, TikTok has recently introduced an update that provides users with greater control over their “For You” feed.

This update includes a feature called “Manage Topics,” which allows users to customize the content they see based on their interests. TikTok notes that with this feature, users can adjust sliders for over ten popular topics, such as Creative Arts, Travel, Nature, and Sports, to determine how frequently they want to see content related to each. For instance, if a user prefers health and fitness topics, they can maximize that slider while reducing attention to other areas like food and drinks. It’s important to note that making these adjustments won’t eliminate certain content types; it will only influence how often they appear in the feed.

Furthermore, TikTok is launching another significant feature known as Smart Keyword Filtering, which allows users to exclude certain content entirely. This AI-powered tool enhances the previous keyword filter, enabling users to limit content that contains specific keywords or their synonyms. TikTok explains that this feature not only shows users which additional keywords are being filtered but will also, in the future, allow them to select or deselect keywords they want to include. Moreover, the platform plans to expand this feature, increasing the number of filterable keywords to 200.

Ultimately, these updates aim to refine users’ feeds, helping them see precisely what they desire without engaging in endless scrolling that could disrupt their well-being.