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TikTok’s new “Manage Topics” feature lets users customize their For You feed with sliders for specific content interests, enhancing feed personalization.
TikTok unveiled a new feature called “Manage Topics” on August 30. This feature enables individuals to better tailor the content they see on their For You feed. The update is currently being rolled out to U.S. users.
TikTok’s new slider tool enables individuals to customize their For You feed by indicating a preference for more content on specific subjects, such as “Food & Drinks,” “Health & Fitness,” or “Dance.” Located under Content Preferences in Settings and Privacy, this tool enables users to adjust sliders to amplify or reduce the presence of different topics. Initially, the sliders are positioned at a default neutral setting, which users can modify.
Screenshot of slider tool | Source: TikTok
TikTok states that these selections will guide the app in displaying more or less of a particular topic in your For You feed. However, this will not impact the content from accounts that users are already following. The company advises that updates to your feed based on these settings might take some time, so immediate changes shouldn’t be expected.
The social media giant has added features over the years to help users control their algorithm, like the “Not Interested” button and blocking keywords or hashtags. Last year, the platform tested a For You Page reset option. The new feature allows for more precise feed customization without starting from scratch.
TikTok’s For You Page, known for its seemingly intuitive algorithm and extensive user data, often feels like a mystery. The new slider feature provides insight into how TikTok categorizes and curates content, offering users a clearer view of the algorithm’s workings.
Nevertheless, the sliders’ effectiveness remains uncertain, as past tools like YouTube’s “dislike” button have demonstrated that algorithms may still recommend similar content despite user feedback.
