Facebook’s New Algorithm Gives Users More Control Over Video Recommendations

Facebook is rolling out a significant algorithm update designed to give users more say in what they see—especially when it comes to video content. The update introduces features such as “Not Interested” feedback, better tools to save preferred Reels, friend-like indicators (“friend bubbles”), and a boost to newer video content. These changes aim to address growing dissatisfaction from users about irrelevant or low-quality Reels flooding their feeds. Below, we walk through each change, the user experience implications, how creators might be affected, and what this signals about Facebook’s video strategy going forward.

What’s Changing: New Controls & Signals

1. “Not Interested” Feedback for Reels

One of the biggest shifts is giving users the ability to explicitly tell Facebook: “I don’t want to see this Reel.” By tapping “Not Interested” or flagging comments, users can signal unwanted content, and the recommendations engine will adapt accordingly. This makes the algorithm more responsive to individual preferences.

2. Enhanced “Save” Feature

Facebook is improving its “Save” function so users can more easily collect and revisit favorite Reels in one place. This helps curate personal libraries of content, rather than losing interesting videos in a fast-scroll feed.

3. Prioritize Newer Videos

The update also emphasizes recency. Facebook says it will show 50% more Reels that were uploaded on the same day users are browsing. That shift ensures fresher content surfaces faster, rather than older or recycled videos dominating the feed.

4. Friend Bubbles & Social Context

Another new visual cue is “friend bubbles” — small profile icons highlighting which friends have liked a video. Tapping the bubble opens a private chat about that video. This injects social context into video discovery, combining recommendation with interactivity.

5. AI-Powered Search Suggestions

Facebook is layering in AI-driven prompts in Reels search. As users type, they’ll see suggested queries that help them discover videos aligned with their interests—helping bridge from browsing to finding.

Why Facebook Is Making These Changes

Addressing User Frustration

Many users have voiced irritation over inappropriate, low-effort, or over-promoted Reels content. By giving control back to users, Facebook hopes to reduce negative feedback and improve satisfaction.

Staying Competitive with TikTok & Short-Form Platforms

Short-form video is now central to social content. To remain relevant, Facebook needs to refine how it surfaces Reels so users feel in control—rather than feeling at the mercy of a black-box algorithm.

Encouraging Content Creators to Focus on Quality

By emphasizing freshness, relevance, and engagement, creators will be nudged to produce better content rather than chase algorithm hacks.

Social Context & Engagement

Adding friend-like indicators invites a social layer to discovery, which may increase engagement, conversation, and connection. It’s a move to bring back Facebook’s social roots in a video-centric ecosystem.

What These Changes Mean for Users

• Greater control: Users can more actively influence what Reels appear and reduce exposure to unwanted content.

• Fresher content: The feed will tilt toward newer Reels, making Facebook feel more dynamic.

• Curated experience: With improved save tools, users can build personalized collections of videos.

• Social signals: Seeing which friends liked a video adds a new dimension of trust or curiosity.

However, the effectiveness of these new controls depends on how well the algorithms adjust, and whether users actually use the feedback tools consistently.

Impact on Creators & Publishers

Incentive to Produce Timely, Quality Videos

With the push toward newer content, creators must release on trending topics or timely subjects to stay relevant.

Focus on Engagement Over Clickbait

Since users can indicate disinterest, viral tricks may backfire. Creators should prioritize authenticity, retention, and interest.

Social Proof Becomes More Visible

Friend bubbles spotlight videos endorsed by peers, making social proof part of the content’s appeal. Creators whose audiences like their work may benefit more.

Possibly Shorter Content Lifespans

Videos may age faster. Creators will need to refresh content strategies, avoid relying solely on long-tail performance.

Potential Challenges & Critiques

• Feedback signals might be ignored or misinterpreted: If “Not Interested” taps don’t reliably influence ranking, user trust may erode.

• Gaming the system: Some creators could try to study what feedback yields suppression and tweak content just below thresholds.

• Privacy & social pressure: Friend bubbles could pressure users — e.g. "Did you see this video because your friend liked it?"

• Algorithm complexity & opacity: Even with controls, the system is still complex. Users might not see a visible difference, leading to skepticism.

• Uneven benefit for creators with smaller audiences: Big creators whose content already gets visibility may benefit more from social signals, widening the gap.

Broader Context: Facebook Video Strategy

This algorithm update aligns with broader moves by Facebook to realign video formats, recommendation systems, and platform identity. Reports say all new videos uploaded to Facebook will soon be classified as Reels—removing format differences and length restrictions.

The change also reflects how Facebook is shifting from being just a social network toward a content-discovery platform powered by video. Transparency and feedback features are increasingly important in retaining user trust in such an ecosystem.

What to Watch

• Adoption of feedback controls: Will users use “Not Interested” tools often enough to meaningfully shift recommendations?

• Content freshness impact: How much older Reels lose visibility, and how creators change habits.

• Metrics for creators: Watch which creators gain or lose reach under new rules.

• Platform metrics: Whether time spent, engagement, or user satisfaction improve.

• Extensions to other content types: Whether similar controls expand beyond Reels to posts, Stories, or suggested content.