As election season approaches in the U.S., Instagram has updated how it recommends political content. This change, which also applies to Threads, the newer competitor to X, won’t affect what you see from accounts you already follow. However, the platforms will not actively suggest political content, which may restrict users from exploring political issues beyond their existing networks. This is particularly relevant as Instagram's algorithm increasingly promotes posts from accounts you don’t follow, especially through Reels.

While some users may appreciate a break from political discussions, others may find this shift concerning, as social media plays a crucial role in community organizing and sharing information about current events. Moreover, Instagram’s definition of political content is quite broad, encompassing anything that could relate to laws, elections, or social topics.

If you’re unhappy with these changes, you can modify your settings to bypass Instagram’s political content filters.

Adjusting Instagram’s Political Content Settings

If you prefer not to have Instagram filter out political content from your feed, follow these steps to opt out:

1. Open the Instagram app and tap on your profile icon in the bottom navigation bar.
2. On your profile page, look for the hamburger menu (three horizontal lines) in the top-right corner of the screen.
3. You will be directed to the “Settings and activity” page. Scroll down to find the “What you see” section, then tap on “Content preferences.”
4. Next, locate the “Political content” tab. Click on it to choose your preferences for viewing political content from accounts you don’t follow. To stop filtering political content, select “don’t limit political content from people you don’t follow.”

Currently, Threads does not have its own settings menu for these options. However, changes made on Instagram will also apply to Threads, as they are integrated within the app.

Why Instagram is Changing How You Access Political Content

Meta, the parent company of platforms like Instagram and Facebook, has faced significant scrutiny over its handling of political content. The company has been implicated in various controversies, including its role in the genocide in Myanmar and the spread of misinformation ahead of the January 6 Capitol attack. Additionally, the Cambridge Analytica scandal highlighted how a political consulting firm exploited the data of millions of Facebook users to support Donald Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign. With another U.S. presidential election on the horizon, it seems likely that Meta will encounter further public relations challenges.

These substantial changes to algorithms carry serious implications. Regardless of Meta’s intentions, the reality is that social media platforms serve billions of users, and restricting access to political content is bound to create ripple effects.